KRASNODAR, Russia, July 19 (UPI) -- Security at the 2014 Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympic Games will include about 300 local Cossack volunteers, a government official said Friday.
Cossacks, known for social conservatism, historically were used to quell rebellion in Tsarist times and were repressed during the Soviet regime. They are regaining a semi-official role and carry out self-appointed and officially authorized police duties in some parts of Russia, including Moscow, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti said.
Dzhambulat Kahtuov, deputy governor of Krasnodar Territory, which includes Sochi, said the Cossacks helped solve 283 crimes and detained 68 suspects in the region in the first six months of the year, patrolling streets and other public places.
The Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin Feb. 7 in Sochi.
