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Russian High Ranking Military Chief Gets Jail Term Commuted, Is Fined Instead

Vladimir Chirkin

A court in Moscow has softened its stance on Russian army ground forces ex-deputy chief Vladimir Chirkin, and changed his corruption sentence from 5 years in prison to a 90,000-ruble ($1,200) fine, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

In addition to the change on Chirkin's sentence, the Moscow District Military Court has cancelled previous court decision which deprived Chirkin of his military honors and rank.

In August, Chirkin was found guilty of a bribe attempt and sentenced to five years in jail, media reported.

He had allegedly demanded 450,000 rubles ($19,500 at the time) from an ex military in 2008 in exchange for helping him receive a free apartment from the ministry.

During the trial, Chirkin denounced the corruptions allegations repeatedly, the RIA Novosti news agency reported at the time.

Vladimir Chirkin served in the military for 43 years. In 2013, he was the commander of Victory Day military parade on Moscow's Red Square.

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