Aren’t you afraid of criminal responsibility when bribing traffic policemen?

We often hear from our relatives or friends stories of how they were stopped by a road policeman and had to give bribe not to forfeit driving license. All car owners face such cases once-twice a week on the average. In order to avoid long processes of fine payment it is easier to solve problem at the scene. The news agency 24.kg decided to ask drivers aren’t they afraid of bribing if the law provides criminal responsibility for such actions.

Tursunbek Akun, ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic:

I have never given bribes to anybody. It is criminally liable. As of those citizens who offer bribes, I would like to remind –they commit crime and should receive punishment. If citizens do not offer bribes themselves, there would be no demand. 

Rinat, taxi driver at one of Bishkek firms: 

I know that it is illegal but in our country it is better to do what the inspectors want. If you begin to show off your intelligence, you would have a lot of problems. Pay money and no problem. But I try not to break the traffic rules.

Ruslan Beishenbaev, chief of Municipal Property Administration under the Bishkek city council:

I am aware of criminal penalty. But I had no chance to solve problems informally because of my little driving experience and try not to violate the rules.

Sergey, taxi driver:

Criminal responsibility? I have never thought about it. When you are stopped, you think how not to forfeit a driving license. For 33 years of my driving experience I have given them so much money that it would be enough to build me a villa.

Ermek Jangaziev, clerk:

 I am not afraid of criminal responsibility because laws do not function in Kyrgyzstan. I am caught once a week and pay off 100 soms.

Ibragim, selling agent:

I am afraid but it is better to solve a problem by mutual agreement. It is much easier to pay 100-150 soms at the scene than to pay a 300-soms-fine at a police department.

Samat Mekenov, builder: 

I have a short driving experience and do not know that there is such a penalty. I am driving for only four months and have given bribes for many times. Only once I have met an honest traffic policeman, who did not take money and took my license away.  

Musa Toroev, assistant general director of the State Veterinary Department under the Kyrgyz Health Care Ministry:

There is such responsibility. Personally I have never offered bribes and violated laws, far less traffic rules. I urge citizens to observe laws.