Russian ex-police chief accused of taking khinkali bribe

Kommersant reported that investigators initially suspected Grashchenkov of eating 200,000 rubles ($2,600) worth of khinkali. The bribe amount was subsequently lowered to 53,000 rubles ($700). Photo: Oleg Kharseev / Kommersant.

Agenda.ge, 03 Dec 2020 - 13:49, Tbilisi,Georgia

Alexander Grashchenkov, a former police chief of the regional police department in Russia’s third-largest city of Novosibirsk, has been convicted for accepting bribes in the form of the popular Georgian dumpling khinkali, authorities and media said Wednesday, writes Russia’s Kommersant.

Kommersant reported that between 2015-2018 Grashchenkov had racked up $700 worth of meals from a local cafe in exchange for turning a blind eye to the entrepreneurs’ rent violations.

The hot lunches were delivered on request. The police officer chose khinkali and a simple cucumber salad from a variety of dishes on the menu”, Kommersant wrote.

Kommersant reported that investigators initially suspected Grashchenkov of eating 200,000 rubles ($2,600) worth of khinkali. The bribe amount was subsequently lowered to 53,000 rubles ($700).

A Novosibirsk court found Grashchenkov guilty and handed him a suspended sentence of three years and four years' probation.