Approximation of groups, characterizations of sofic groups, and equations over groups

We give new characterizations of sofic groups: -- A group $G$ is sofic if and only if it is a subgroup of a quotient of a direct product of alternating or symmetric groups. -- A group $G$ is sofic if and only if any system of equations solvable in all alternating groups is solvable over $G$. The last characterization allows to express soficity of an existentially closed group by $\forall\exists$-sentences. Keywords: sofic groups, approximations, equations over groups.