MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Officers committed one eighth of crimes in the Russian Armed Forces in 2002.
"The number of law violations committed by officers has essentially increased in the Russian Air Force, Land Forces, the Siberian, Volga-Urals and North Caucasus Military Districts, the Northern Fleet and in the Airborne Force," a source in the Russian law enforcement told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
According to the source, the analysis of law violations shows a significant increase of crime related to physical injury.
"As many as 290 officers bet their subordinates in 2002; 419 servicemen were hurt, three of them were killed and 11 persons were seriously injured," he said.
The source noted that over 200 officers were convicted by military courts for these crimes.
"Commanders and deputy commanders of units were convicted for rendering injuries as well; for the first time a general has been accused for that," he said.
The source added that the number of law violations related to officers' unauthorized leaves had increased by 40% last year. Every one of four accused officers was convicted for theft.