DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a decree lifting a blanket ban on political protests at the Sochi Winter Olympics, bowing to pressure from the International Olympic Committee.

The decree allows demonstrations and marches at locations or along routes that must be agreed with officials in the Black Sea resort city along with the regional police and security forces.

It also allows officials to set limits on how many people can take part in protests during the Games, which run from February 7 to 23.

Putin had issued a decree in August that forbade any rallies or marches over issues unrelated to the Games from being held inside the tightly controlled security zone, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1446 HRS, JAN 04, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor