One Russian official has given the term "highway robbery" a whole new meaning after he reportedly dismantled a 30-mile highway in a northern region of the country and then sold it off piece-by-piece for a profit, officials say.
Alexander Protopopov reportedly oversaw the dismantling of a concrete highway while he served as prison chief in Russia's northern Komi region, reported Radio Free Europe. This operation reportedly took place between 2014 and 2015, with the road "dismantled and driven away" so they could be sold to a company, which would in turn sell them for a profit.
Now serving as deputy chief of the national prison service, Protopopov faces charges of misappropriating state property while using his official position, which could land him 10 years in jail if found guilty. Though not identified by name, other prison service officials are accused of participating in the scheme, with one of them arrested so far, prosecutors say.
The operation saw a grand total of 7,000 reinforced concrete slabs sold off, costing the Russian Federation an estimated $79,000, according to BBC News.
Protopopov's involvement in the crime seems like a far cry from the reputation he earned during his years in service between 2010 and 2015. Records on the prison service's website indicate that he won awards, including a medal for creating "spiritual unity."
Road construction is one of the most expensive and corrupt sectors in Russia, reported The Guardian. Costs are much higher in that sector than on comparable projects in other countries.
For example, the construction of a mountain highway for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games cost roughly $8 billion. Russian media claims it would cost the same to cover that very 29-mile road with black caviar.
