Sochi security raises human rights concerns
Russians plan ‘safest Olympics in history’
MOSCOW — The organizers of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi have introduced some of the most extensive identity checks and sweeping security measures ever seen at an international sports event, raising concerns that they are stifling dissent and violating privacy under the pretext of fulfilling their pledge to make the games “the safest Olympics in history.”
With an Islamist insurgency raging across the North Caucasus Mountains east of the Black Sea resort, Russia’s security agencies have had carte blanche to ensure that nothing spoils President Vladimir Putin’s pet project.
While the official line is that the stringent measures are meant to block the terror threat, critics say the Kremlin is equally concerned about preventing anti-Putin protesters from raising an embarrassing ruckus at the games.
The filters are activated right at the ticket-buying stage.
Anyone wanting to attend the games that open on Feb. 7 will have to buy a ticket online from the organizers and obtain a “spectator pass” for access.
Doing so will require providing passport details and contacts that will allow the authorities to screen all visitors and check their identities upon arrival.
Guests will be asked to wear their passes while attending Olympic events for quick and easy identification.
Russian government officials and Sochi organizers say the security pass is necessary to keep the games safe.
Some critics, however, say that it will do little to deflect a terror threat from people already in the Sochi area — as potential terrorists would have had years to settle within the security zone.
“This kind of pass, this kind of measure might stop some people from going to the Olympics ... but this kind of measure can’t deal with the people who actually live in the area,” said Andrei Soldatov, an independent Moscow-based security analyst.