This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25633632
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Winter Olympics: Russia launches Sochi security clampdown | Winter Olympics: Russia launches Sochi security clampdown |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Russia has launched one of the biggest security operations in Olympic history, a month before the start of the Winter Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. | |
The authorities are deploying more than 30,000 police and interior ministry troops and limiting access to the area. | The authorities are deploying more than 30,000 police and interior ministry troops and limiting access to the area. |
The main concern is the threat of attack by Islamist militants from the restive North Caucasus region. | The main concern is the threat of attack by Islamist militants from the restive North Caucasus region. |
Russia's most wanted man, Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov, has urged his fighters to target the Winter Olympics. | |
The BBC's Steven Rosenberg in Moscow says recent deadly bombings in Volgograd have intensified those worries. | The BBC's Steven Rosenberg in Moscow says recent deadly bombings in Volgograd have intensified those worries. |
President Vladimir Putin was in Sochi on Monday night to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas, appearing at a church service. | |
Security zones | Security zones |
"Starting 7 January, all divisions responsible for ensuring the guests' security at the Games are being put on combat alert," Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said. | "Starting 7 January, all divisions responsible for ensuring the guests' security at the Games are being put on combat alert," Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said. |
"Every facility will be put under protection and a space-based monitoring system will be launched." | "Every facility will be put under protection and a space-based monitoring system will be launched." |
Russian officials are establishing two security zones to protect the games. | Russian officials are establishing two security zones to protect the games. |
A "controlled zone" near Olympic venues will limit access to people with tickets and proof of identity while another "forbidden zone" will be in place in large areas around Sochi. | A "controlled zone" near Olympic venues will limit access to people with tickets and proof of identity while another "forbidden zone" will be in place in large areas around Sochi. |
Vehicles not registered locally and which do not have special accreditation will be banned from the city. The sale of firearms, explosives and ammunition will also be prohibited. | Vehicles not registered locally and which do not have special accreditation will be banned from the city. The sale of firearms, explosives and ammunition will also be prohibited. |
Security fears have been heightened after two suicide bomb attacks killed 34 people in the southern city of Volgograd on 29 and 30 December. | Security fears have been heightened after two suicide bomb attacks killed 34 people in the southern city of Volgograd on 29 and 30 December. |
Investigators believe the perpetrators were two men who arrived in the city from the North Caucasus region. | Investigators believe the perpetrators were two men who arrived in the city from the North Caucasus region. |
The bombings prompted Mr Putin to order further security measures and personally inspect Olympic sites. | |
In recent years, a conflict between Russian forces and separatists in Chechnya has fuelled attacks by Islamists. | |
The violence has spread across the North Caucasus, including to mainly Muslim Ingushetia and Dagestan, killing hundreds of people, among them members of the government and security services. | The violence has spread across the North Caucasus, including to mainly Muslim Ingushetia and Dagestan, killing hundreds of people, among them members of the government and security services. |
Last year, Russian authorities announced that protest rallies would be banned in the Games area. | Last year, Russian authorities announced that protest rallies would be banned in the Games area. |
But a recent decree says protests during the Games can be held if agreed with the authorities. | But a recent decree says protests during the Games can be held if agreed with the authorities. |
A new Russian law banning "homosexual propaganda" targeting people under 18 had led some to call for the Games to be boycotted. | |
However, President Putin has insisted gay and lesbian athletes will feel at ease. | However, President Putin has insisted gay and lesbian athletes will feel at ease. |