Almost 20 traffic police held on bribery charges in south Russia
14:54, 8 February 2010
MOSCOW. February 8. KAZNFORM A total of 19 traffic police officers have been arrested on bribery charges in Russia's southern city of Astrakhan, investigators said on Monday, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
"The 19 suspects were arrested red-handed," a statement said, adding that the unit's commander was among those arrested in the operation.
Investigators say the officers earned around 150,000 rubles ($ 4,908) each a month from bribes. They could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev vowed last August to eradicate police corruption, a widespread occurrence in Russia.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledged to fight corruption when he entered office in May 2008, highlighting the issue as one of the country's most serious problems, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.