Space factory worker held for making weapons

20:12, 31 May 2012

MOSCOW. May 31. KAZINFORM An employee at a rocket engine factory in the central Russia city of Voronezh has been charged with making, storing and trafficking firearms, the Lifenews.ru portal reported on Thursday.

The 38-year old worker made pistols and rifles at his workplace, secretly removed them from the factory premises, and then sold them, police said.

Police acted on a tip-off but it took them at least a year to catch the suspect red handed.

The Voronezh Mechanical Plant has manufactured engines for the Energia-Buran, Vostok, Soyuz, Proton and other space systems, RIA Novosti reports.

It also makes aircraft engines, as well as parts and components for rail and motor transport systems.