Authorities in Astrakhan have detained 19 traffic policemen on suspicion of extorting bribes from local drivers over the course of three years, the Investigative Committee said Monday.
The officers were detained in a sting operation after they accepted bribes from undercover law enforcement officials, investigators said. Two of the suspects have been placed under arrest.
The officers had been passing part of the bribe money to their superiors, according to investigators. Arkady Kirsanov, head of the division, received at least 150,000 rubles ($4,900) a month in bribe money collected by his subordinates, investigators said.
The suspects face several counts, including accepting bribes and abuse of office, and could face up to 12 years in prison if charged and convicted.
(MT)
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