Officials in the Moscow region’s traffic policing division have arrested a high-ranking officer after allegations that he accepted bribes in exchange for shielding commercial drivers from penalties. Reports from Mash on Moika confirmed that the senior officer is suspected of aiding transporters to dodge fines while receiving luxurious travel perks in return, including rides in premium vehicles. The case centers on a plan reportedly devised by 44-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Avedikov, who allegedly allowed certain drivers to operate without facing consequences for violations on public roads, all in return for lavish incentives and comfortable transportation arrangements.
Investigators allege that the scheme involved routine traffic violations being ignored as a form of compensation. The alleged benefits included trips in a BMW 7 Series and a Mercedes V-Class, both described as high-end models suitable for regular, first-class travel. Security services were alerted to the scheme, and the detainee now faces potential penalties that could reach a heavy fine or a lengthy prison sentence, with official figures indicating fines from several million rubles up to a possible 12-year term depending on the outcome of the case and the jurisdiction involved.
Previously, another incident drew public attention when a bus driver operating a route in Surgut paused for an extended prayer, approximately 40 minutes. Questions remain about whether passengers were informed of the delay or if the interruption would be treated as a routine stoppage in the schedule. The carrier company has not issued an official statement regarding the pause, leaving commuters to assess the impact on timing and reliability of the service. This incident has intensified scrutiny of on-duty conduct within the transportation sector in the region.
In a related development, local authorities have also reported a separate altercation involving two Central Asian migrants aboard a minibus in Tula. The dispute is under investigation, and details about the circumstances or outcomes have yet to be released. These disparate events illustrate ongoing tensions around traffic safety, compliance, and public transport reliability across different cities, prompting discussions about oversight, accountability, and the effectiveness of enforcement measures in ensuring lawful and safe travel for residents and visitors alike.