10 October 2013, 05:52
Alexander Cherkasov: security systems at Sochi Olympic Games are similar to those already applied in Northern Caucasus
The FSB intends to keep track of phone calls and Internet correspondence carried out by guests of the Olympic Games in Sochi by extending application of the systems of operational and search activities (known as SORM). This was stated by Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, the authors of the journalistic investigation. Felix Tsokov, a former staff member of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF), believes that the SORM can serve as a tool in the fight against dissent. Accretion of power of the secret services should be compensated by enhanced public control. This was voiced by Alexander Cherkasov, Chairman of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".
According to the results of the investigation carried out by Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, published in English by "The Guardian" and the "Agentura.ru", the SORM was developed by the KGB in the 1980s. At present, it controls the telephone communication and internet traffic, collects information about communications between subscribers and provides long-term storage of data about subscribers.
Human rights defender Alexander Cherkasov has expressed his concern about the fact that during their work, the investigating authorities will pay less attention to the traditional physical evidences and more attention to those evidences obtained as a result of activities of the systems similar to the SORM.
Alexander Cherkasov has added that the systems similar to those to be applied in Sochi are already used in Northern Caucasus.
Tatiana Okushko, an advocate from the Moscow Regional Advocates' Chamber, has reported that wiretapping is a measure of limited use and it may only be applied by court decision in respect of persons suspected or accused of committing serious, grave or very grave crime.
Author: Magomed Tuayev Source: CK correspondent
