Rallies will be banned during Sochi Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on introduction of a number of restrictions in Sochi at the time of preparation and holding of the Winter Olympic Games-2014. In particular, rallies and assemblies will be banned the city.

Thus, from January 7, 2014, that is, one month before the Olympics, and till March 21, 2014, that is, one week after the end of the Paralympic Games, any assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets, not related with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be banned.

Besides, for the same period, Sochi will introduce controlled and restricted areas. Access to the controlled areas will be allowed after inspection by the police; and to the restricted ones – only in case of proved service exigency. The traffic across the Russian-Abkhazian border through the checkpoint "Adler" will be also restricted, the "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" writes.

The city will restrict entry of motor vehicles (other than trains, locals' transport and cars with accreditation certificates). Also, any sale of weapons, explosives and poisons will be completely banned, the ITAR-TASS reports.

The decree came into force on August 23.