An average amount of a bribe in Russia has almost tripled as compared to last year and exceeded R27,000 (about 900 dollars at the current exchange rate), says a press release of the economic security department of the Russian Interior Ministry published on the ministry's website on Monday (27 July).
"According to the department's experts, an average size of a bribe has almost tripled as compared to last year and exceeded R27,000," says the press release based on the results of the meeting to review the department's work in the first six months of 2009.
The document stresses that law enforcement agencies "have stepped up the activities aimed at countering corruption, including its organized forms".
In particular, in the first six months of 2009, about 24,000 crimes against the state power, the interests of state service and service in the local government bodies were revealed in the Russian Federation, which is a 15-per cent increase on the same period last year.
In addition, the number of revealed and registered crimes linked to bribe-taking has increased by 26 per cent and amounted to 4,900 cases.
Criminal charges have been brought against 3,500 people, the department said.
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