An officer in the Russian police's anti-corruption unit has been detained on suspicion of taking a bribe of $500,000, the Interior Ministry said.
The officer from the Chief Directorate of Economic Security and Combating Corruption had been under investigation by the internal affairs department on suspicion of trying to extort the money from a businessman in exchange for dropping an investigation against him, the ministry said in a statement issued late Wednesday night.
The officer was detained when the money changed hands, the ministry said.
The suspect will be dishonorably discharged and will face trial, the statement said, adding that his commanding officers will face disciplinary sanctions.