Arapova: there are no chances to challenge refusal of OC "Sochi-2014" to issue fan's passport

Those who go to court to sue "Sochi-2014" Organizing Committee (OC) demanding to repeal the provision in the rules on issuance of fan's passports, allowing to refuse to issue one without explanation, have no chance to win the trial, said Galina Arapova, the Director of the Centre for Defence of Media Rights.

Let us remind you that Semyon Simonov, the Coordinator of the Network "Migration and Law" of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", was twice refused by the OC of fan's passport, without which you cannot attend the competitions. On January 31, Semyon Simonov went to the Adler District Court against the OC "Sochi-2014".

Galina Arapova has explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the claimant should challenge not only the above provision of the rules, but also the government's resolution, that is, to demand to cancel or amend the normative act of the Russian Govt that had approved the above rules.

"But you understand that this procedure is long; and who needs it, when the Olympics and Paralympics are over?" said Arapova.

When being refused of a fan's passport, the owner of a ticket is entitled to demand the return of the amount paid. "In fact, this is the only way out of the current relationships between the OC and the unfortunate fan, apart from the frustration and sense of injustice, which certainly arises in case of an unmotivated refusal," said the lawyer.