HRW urges Russian authorities to stop pressure on journalists accredited for Sochi Olympic Games

The Russian authorities should immediately stop pressure on journalists and ensure freedom of speech on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. This was stated by Jane Buchanan, Project Director of the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The statement was made in connection with the fact that during three days, in Adygea, the police several times detained and questioned staff members of the Norwegian "TV2" Company, accredited for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

According to Jane Buchanan, during the period from October 31 to November 2, inspectors from the road traffic police (known as GIBDD) of the Republic of Adygea six times stopped reporter Øystein Bogen and cameraman Aage Aunes, and three times they were detained and "interrogated in an aggressive manner about their professional plans." "Once, a policeman even threatened to take Øystein Bogen to prison," Jane Buchanan has noted.

Let us remind you that simultaneously with the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay, the HRW has launched the project "Alternative Map of Torch Relay" to draw attention to human rights problems in towns and cities, through which the torch relay will go to Sochi.