RUSSIA: A 16-page booklet published yesterday tells Russians what to do when faced with a corrupt official bent on extracting a backhander.
"Over the past 10 years the number of bribes has increased by 10 times," said Andrei Przhezdomsky, the booklet's author and a member of Russia's Public Chamber, set up by president Vladimir Putin to improve links between government and society.
The booklet says it is a citizen's moral obligation to report anyone asking for a bribe to police or security services and provides advice on what details to report.
It also gives an example of the statement to fill out at the police station. The publication adds that those facing corrupt officials can either end all discussion once a bribe is mentioned or hear the official out, recording the details.
It also warns that officials fishing for a backhander may hide behind vague or complicated phrases. Traffic police rank among the most obvious bribe-takers and few Russians manage to get away after being stopped by a patrol car without paying at least 100 roubles (€2.94). - (Reuters)