Newsmaker

Putin criticizes customs service over a video

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-16 21:55

MOSCOW - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized the chief of the customs office in Far Eastern Russia because of a New Year party video posted online.

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"Several of our departments need to be disciplined," Putin was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as telling Andrei Belyaninov, head of Russia's Federal Customs Service.

"I myself like to have fun and make jokes, but it should be done elsewhere," Putin added.

The video clip showed customs officials dancing with women and drinking champagne in their office in Vladivostok.

The scandal follows a 2008 video that contained footage of police officers in the Urals region drinking vodka and dancing on the roof of a patrol car.