MOSCOW. Dec 24 (Interfax) - The former deputy warden of the high security prison in the Vologda region from which a convict escaped by helicopter has been sentenced to four years in prison, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office reports.
"The Vologda Regional Court has found Alexander Belolikov guilty of abuse of office (Part 1, Article 285 of the Russian Criminal Code) and bribe taking (Part 3, Article 290)," says a report published on the Office website on Monday.
The court took into account the prosecutor's opinion and sentenced the ex-deputy warden to four years in a general penitentiary.
Detectives said that the officer took two bribes in 2009-2011 "for patronizing inmates."
"He relaxed the terms of their custody, overlooked the use of cell phones although that was prohibited, and allowed unscheduled visits," the report said.
The deputy warden was twice bribed by Alexei Shestakov who was sentenced to 24 years for the murder of three people, assault and robbery in 2000 and was doing time at the Vologda penitentiary since February 2010.
"Acting in the convict's interests, Belolikov convinced members of the penitentiary administrative commission that the inmate had no inclination to escape and did nothing to seize his cell phone," the report said.
"As a result, Shestakov was able to plan his escape and flew away by helicopter in March 2012," it said.