Sochi official charged in extortion scam over land for 2014 Games bid

Sochi official charged in extortion scam over land for 2014 Games bid{mosimage}ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — Police have arrested an official in Sochi on charges of trying to extort money from a local business owner in connection with the Black Sea city’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics, an Interior Ministry officer said Monday.

Sergei Yevdokimenko, who is responsible for federal government property in the resort town, and Viktor Babiiy, director of a regional trout-farm, have been charged with blackmail and soliciting bribes, said Maj. Gen. Solodovnikov, deputy head of the Interior Ministry for southern Russia.

According to Solodovnikov, the two were involved in a demand to a local business owner to give up some of his land, saying it was needed to build sports facilities for the Games.

The businessman was told that if he paid US$410,000 (€330,000), he could retain use of the land, Solodovnikov said.

Sochi, wedged between the Black Sea and soaring mountains, is considered one of the strongest bidders for the 2014 Winter Games.

The International Olympic Committee is to name the winning city next year.

— The Associated Press