Ex-GIMS Inspector Sentenced to Prison for Bribery in St. Petersburg
The Kuibyshev District Court of St. Petersburg found guilty a former senior state inspector for small size vessels at the GIMS (State Inspection for Small Size Vessels) center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry under parts 1-3 of Article 290 of the Criminal Code (taking bribes for illegal actions). The verdict was announced on January 30 by the Northwestern Transport Prosecutor«s Office.
From May 2022 to August 2023, the official, for monetary reward, facilitated the expedited registration of small size vessels and issued certificates to boat operators without them actually taking exams. The total amount of bribes received was at least 730,000 rubles (approximately $8,000 at current rates).
The prosecutor«s office commented: »Every such issued certificate and every registered vessel is not just documents. It is a potential human tragedy with incompetent boat operators and their passengers.«
The court sentenced him to 6 years and 8 months of imprisonment in a general regime correctional colony. Additionally, the convicted person was fined 2.8 million rubles (approximately $30,800 at current rates) and deprived of the right to hold state positions related to organizational and administrative activities and functions of a representative of authority for a period of 5 years.
