Simonov: measures to ensure security at Sochi Olympics violate citizens' rights

Sochi authorities toughen the passport regime; and policemen are inspecting house after house, local residents report. However, as noted by Alexander Valov, the editor-in-chief of the edition "BlogSochi", these actions of the police fail to increase the safety of residents and visitors of Sochi; and according to Semyon Simonov, the coordinator of the reception office of the network "Migration and Law" of the HRC "Memorial" in Sochi, believes that law enforcers themselves violate citizens' rights and freedoms.

During the Olympic Games in Sochi, the grouping of law enforcement forces will count about 40,000 people, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, the Russian Interior Minister, said in his interview to the "Russia-24" TV Channel.

Alexander Valov told in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" that it is practically impossible to call the police, and travelling around the city of high-ranking officials creates considerable difficulties for townspeople.

Semyon Simonov said that the actions of multiple policemen, who arrived in the city from other regions, are accompanied by systematic violations of citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms.

"For example, to check documents, policemen stop residents without any reason, just because someone allegedly looks like a foreign citizen," said Simonov. According to his story, these measures are necessary to implement the total control over citizens.

Let us remind you that the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have reported about violations of human rights and freedoms in Sochi.