Russian policeman fired over clip

Russian authorities admit corruption is a problem in the police force

A senior Russian provincial police officer has been sacked for libel after he posted a video on the internet alleging chronic corruption.

Major Alexei Dymovsky said superiors in the southern city of Novorossiisk treated officers "like cattle" and pre-ordained the results of investigations.

His YouTube video also complained of bad working conditions and low pay.

Maj Dymovsky,32, went on to request a "face-to-face" meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"I am tired of being made to uncover crimes that do not exist," said the uniformed official in the seven-minute clip, which was posted on his personal website as well as the video sharing site YouTube.

"I am tired of being told that these are the people who we need to go to jail."

Vladimir Grebenyuk, the head of Novorossiisk police force, denied the allegations and was quoted in Russian media as saying "there cannot be confirmation of a single fact that [Maj Dymovsky] gives".

A two-day investigation into the claims had been conducted, police spokesman Valery Gribakin was quoted as saying.

"These claims have not been verified," he added. "A decision to discharge Mr Dymovsky for libel and acts that stain the honour... of the security forces has been taken".

Russian authorities have admitted that corruption is a problem in the country's police force, with an Interior Ministry official telling the BBC in August that the situation was "really awful".

"Police officers are not paid properly, so we are only able to recruit the lowest calibre people," said the unnamed official. "Some of them don't know the most basic of laws; some even consort with criminal gangs."