DHAKA: The Russian authorities are to set up a special zone for protest rallies at the Sochi Winter Olympics, where security will be tight.

A special security regime will be in place in and around the southern city from 7 January until 21 March.

The authorities announced last year that a ban on rallies would be imposed in the Games area.

But a decree now says protests during the Games in February can be held if agreed with the authorities.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all public gatherings and demonstrations must be agreed in advance with the municipal authorities as well as regional divisions of the interior ministry and the Federal Security Service, the FSB.

‘The president has issued an instruction to the organisers of the Olympic Games, together with the leadership of Krasnodar Territory and the Sochi mayor’s office, to select a venue in the city where rallies, demonstrations and other events, including, if necessary, protests, could be freely held,’ Mr Peskov said, reports the BBC.

But limits can be placed on the number of people taking part in demonstrations, according to the presidential decree.

Protests groups, such as those campaigning for gay rights and political reform, had complained at the restrictions on the right to stage demonstrations at the Games.

BDST: 2036 HRS, JAN 04, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor