Russia detains ex-police internal security officer in corruption case PHOTO

A former senior police internal affairs officer has been detained in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region on suspicion of accepting a large bribe, investigators say.

The regional branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee said Maksim Blinnikov, a former deputy head of the operational unit of the Interior Ministry’s internal security department, is under criminal investigation on charges of taking a bribe on an especially large scale.

According to investigators, Blinnikov allegedly received 1.8 million roubles ($23,400) from a businessman between 2023 and 2025.

In return, he is accused of providing confidential information about surveillance measures being carried out against the entrepreneur and advising him on how to shape his legal defence when dealing with law enforcement agencies.

Searches have been carried out at the suspect’s residence. Authorities said a decision on pre-trial restrictions and formal charges is pending.

Blinnikov was dismissed from his post on December 24.

By Aghakazim Guliyev