Russia had initially banned any political protests in the Russian Black Sea resort city during the February Games as part of a tough security crackdown, ostensibly aimed at preventing attacks by Islamist militants.
Putin signed a presidential decree saying that demonstrations, pickets and marches ‘can be held’ but that their locations and routes must be agreed with city officials in Sochi along with regional police and security forces.
The decree, published on the Kremlin’s website, allows officials to set limits on how many people can take part in protests during the Games, which run from 7 to 23 February.
Putin had issued a previous decree in August that forbade any rallies or marches over issues unrelated to the Games from being held inside the tightly controlled security zone.
The draconian measure was to take effect on 7 January and last until 21 March after the city hosts the Paralympic Games from 7 to 16 March.
The IOC on Saturday praised the decision, saying that it came after Putin promised the committee last year that he would relax rules on protests.
‘We welcome this announcement - it is in line with the assurances that President Putin gave us last year and part of the Russian authority’s plans to ensure free expression whilst delivering safe and secure Games,’ the IOC said in a statement.
IOC President Thomas Bach said in December that the Russian organisers had agreed to allow a ‘protest zone’ at the Games after discussions with the committee.
Putin has ordered organisers and regional officials to select a single location in the city where protesters would be able to gather ‘freely’, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the RIA Novosti news agency.
‘The president charged the Olympic Games’ organisers along with the leadership of the Krasnodar region and Sochi city hall with picking out a spot in the city where it would be possible to freely hold actions, rallies and other events - including if necessary protests,’ Peskov said. Putin is currently in Sochi where he is inspecting the Olympic sites.
Putin signed a presidential decree saying that demonstrations, pickets and marches ‘can be held’ but that their locations and routes must be agreed with city officials in Sochi along with regional police and security forces.
The decree, published on the Kremlin’s website, allows officials to set limits on how many people can take part in protests during the Games, which run from 7 to 23 February.
Putin had issued a previous decree in August that forbade any rallies or marches over issues unrelated to the Games from being held inside the tightly controlled security zone.
The draconian measure was to take effect on 7 January and last until 21 March after the city hosts the Paralympic Games from 7 to 16 March.
The IOC on Saturday praised the decision, saying that it came after Putin promised the committee last year that he would relax rules on protests.
‘We welcome this announcement - it is in line with the assurances that President Putin gave us last year and part of the Russian authority’s plans to ensure free expression whilst delivering safe and secure Games,’ the IOC said in a statement.
IOC President Thomas Bach said in December that the Russian organisers had agreed to allow a ‘protest zone’ at the Games after discussions with the committee.
Putin has ordered organisers and regional officials to select a single location in the city where protesters would be able to gather ‘freely’, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the RIA Novosti news agency.
‘The president charged the Olympic Games’ organisers along with the leadership of the Krasnodar region and Sochi city hall with picking out a spot in the city where it would be possible to freely hold actions, rallies and other events - including if necessary protests,’ Peskov said. Putin is currently in Sochi where he is inspecting the Olympic sites.