Fake Security Officer Who Extorted Bribes From Foreigner Arrested In Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz authorities said on July 12 that a man who impersonated an officer for the State Committee for National Security was arrested two days earlier while reportedly accepting $3,000 from a Chinese national. Investigators allege the man had extorted $18,000 from the victim earlier, "promising" to close an unspecified probe launched against him. Several cases of impersonating law enforcement officers to extort money from foreigners have taken place in the Central Asian nation in the past. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.