In an unusual show of equality before the law, Perm Governor Oleg Chirkunov was fined 300 rubles ($10) by traffic police for driving above the speed limit.
An automated roadside camera clocked Chirkunov’s car speeding above the permitted 50 kilometers per hour.
The governor, who reported the incident on his LiveJournal blog, published a receipt confirming that he had paid the fine. But he also criticized the police for introducing a speed limit where it was not needed and sending the ticket to his old address.
It was unclear how fast he had been driving.
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.