Policeman accused of killing driver who scratched his car

A senior Russian police officer has been charged with manslaughter after shooting dead a snowplough driver for scratching his car.

Lieutenant-Colonel Anatoly Maurin is accused of shooting 60-year-old Vladimir Demidov in the knee, hitting an artery, leading to death by blood loss.

The shooting was apparently provoked by Mr Demidov scraping Maurin’s parked car as he drove past in the plough.

Several Russian police officers have been recently charged with murder, beatings and other abuses – denting public trust in law enforcement.