Moscow traffic police chief Sergei Kazantsev has submitted his resignation to President Dmitry Medvedev, Interfax reported Wednesday, citing an unidentified law enforcement source.
Kazantsev, born in 1953, has to go because he is about to cross the age limit for his job, the source said.
Kazantsev, a St. Petersburg native, has worked in the Moscow traffic police force since 1974 and was appointed chief in 2001.
Drivers have called for his resignation several times, most notably in March when traffic police officers created a “human shield” from several cars they pulled over in order to detain a petty thief on the run.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
