Interesting post that my comments are to illustrate a point -- corruption is a curse.
That is a huge amount to pay as a bribe -- are you 100% sure of innocence?
Even if she had 'committed an offence' - demanding a bribe - to 'make it go away' is the issue.
...I knew from experience that the key for me was patience--wear him down !
That was a strategy I employed many many times subsequently. I got pulled over multiple times a day,I learnt to look the other way and pretend I had not seen the waving of the silly sticks !
My Ukrainian ex was under strict instructions to speak English if Police spoke to her -- and she mostly complied.
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I do not recommend that most people adopt any of this too forcefully with people in authority -- I have many stories of near misses that could have been a disaster very easliy !
1/ Unlike UA - the DPS - the traffic police - long lost the right to demand on the spot fines - due to corruption.
2/ I have regaled the story of being 'tapped' in 'Abkhazia' for a bride and also suggest asking one's partner to NOT indicate they understand the Policeman- if the non resident is driving.
3/ Being a LOCAL driver - and having asked for her docs - it was clear this was a local, a tanned lady driving nice new car and presumably- a 'target'.
Two policemen were involved - not 'angry' - just scary and the first amount required ' to make it go away' was 40,000 Roubles - 530 Pounds / just under 700 US dollars ..
SC had a women passenger - who - interrupted 'negotiations' - as SC knows to say - "I have no money" and offered to pay 5,000 - as she was also scared....
It was broad daylight - 28C - so hot and they were in skimpy tops and short skirts / shorts- heading for the beach on a busy highway - but were pilled in on a lay--by.Cars would be passing and just thinking ''glad it wasn't me''
I KNOW SC was scared as she has been stopped by the police, before and is polite and patient - this team were a work of art..
They followed her and she left the highway - doubled back - checked they weren't still following - before parking and calling me. She called on SKYPE and I could immediately tell that she was shaken - which isn't difficult as nothing - normally - phases her.
It is THAT - that annoys me more...