17 January 2014, 22:30
HRW: Sochi intensifies campaign of outright harassment and intimidation of activists
On the eve of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the authorities have intensified the campaign of outright harassment and intimidation of ecologists and civil activists. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has failed to object to the measures taken by Russian authorities to silence their critics, says the international Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Since late December, law enforcers are impeding the peaceful solo picketing; they detain protesters and put them behind bars. Several activists and a lawyer were summoned to the police, or agents came home to them demanding their appearance at law enforcement bodies to talk about their activities related to the Olympics. In some cases, the authorities justified their actions on the eve of the Games by strengthened security measures, says the HRW.
This escalation of pressure was preceded by several years of state persecutions of those who criticized the preparation for the Games, says the press release of the HRW that was received by the "Caucasian Knot".
Besides, the Russian president has issued a decree that severely restricts rallies in the larger part of Sochi from January 7, 2014, and till the end of Paralympic Games in March.
The authorities have allocated the so-called "platform for social events", located in the village about 15 kilometres away from the Olympic Park. However, all those wishing to make use of the platform need a prior permission from the authorities, including the FSB.
