Sochi: member of Anti-Corruption Committee associates non-admittance to Olympics with his activities

Vladimir Sokolov, a native of Sochi, a member of the Public Anti-Corruption Committee, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he was not admitted to the Olympics, although he had his fan's passport and a ticket. The Organizing Committee (OC) has explained the situation by "their blocking his fan's passport with the right not to explain the reason." Sokolov suggested that the decision was associated with his social activities.

"For me, all the competitions took place at the railway station, where I spent time trying to clarify the reasons for refusal of my access to the Olympics," said Sokolov. He could not have his ticket money back.

Having read on the ticket that "access to the Olympic facility can be denied for security reasons", Vladimir has treated the decision of the OC as abuse of his honour and dignity. "I'm 73 years old. In the period from 1959 to 1992 I served in the Russian Armed Forces and fulfilled the internationalist duty in the territories of Germany, India and Afghanistan. I fought in Afghanistan since May 1980 to March 1982, for which I have two Red Star Orders and other military awards," he said.

He also said that he actively participated in liquidation of garbage dump in Buu, in connection with what officials asked him to stop the protest movement.

Alexander Boichenko, the head of the Sochi branch of the Moscow Bar, said that non-provision a citizen with the information about the reasons for refusal to admit him to the Olympics can be treated as a criminal offence. The lawyer has also noted that the refusal is also covered by the law on protection of consumer's rights.