Russian President Vladimir Putin Bans Protests In Sochi During 2014 Winter Olympics Friday, Aug. 23,2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree banning demonstrations and rallies for two and a half months in Sochi around the 2014 Winter Olympics

The Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the official government newspaper, published the presidential decree Friday, listing an array of measures tightening security in the Olympic host city, including the ban on public assemblies. All "gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets" that are not part of the Olympics or the Paralympics will be prohibited in Sochi from Jan. 7 to March 21, the decree said

The Winter Olympics is taking place Feb. 7-23,2014 in the Black Sea resort, and the Paralympics are being held March 7-16,2014