Russian motorist bites off finger of Ukraine traffic cop

Aug 30, 2010, 11:16 GMT

Kiev - A Russian motorist bit off the finger of a Ukrainian traffic cop attempting to cite him for speeding for going twice the speed limit, the Interfax news agency reported on Monday.

The incident took place on a highway in eastern Ukraine on Saturday after law enforcers clocked a Russia-registered Lexus traveling 180 kilometres per hour, double the 90 kilometre maximum speed limit.

Stopped by highway police, the motorist displayed a Russian police identification, and argued that as a law enforcer himself he should not be ticketed, according to the report.

The Ukrainian traffic cops disagreed and attempted to issue a speeding ticket.

The Russian reportedly refused to be ticketed, and bit off the fingertip of one of his Ukrainian colleagues in a brawl, before being arrested.

The Russian police officer during an appearance before a Zaporizhia city judge on Sunday argued the Ukrainian traffic cops had assaulted him, leaving him no option but to defend himself.

He was still in Ukrainian police custody on Monday, according to a Korrespondent web magazine report.

An attorney speaking for the Ukrainian police officers at the hearing claimed the Russian cop had ignored police instructions, and used provocative language and violence to provoke a conflict.

Police in both Russia and Ukraine are sometimes criticised for abusing their positions as law enforcers to ignore rules and regulations they are supposed to enforce.