Russian faces jail for taking money from beggar

A man in south Russia’s Astrakhan region faces up to 10 years in prison for allegedly taking 46 rubles ($2) from a beggar, RIA Novosti reported.

According to the local interior ministry, the suspect threatened his victim with a knife and immediately left the scene, but the victim informed the police.

The man was detained by a police patrol shortly after, and was found to possess both the knife and the money.

The 28-year-old suspect initially denied involvement, saying he borrowed the money to buy a bottle of vodka. However, he admitted robbery after witnesses testified against him.

The suspect already has a criminal record of theft, robbery and poaching. The charges of robbery against him entail a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.

—-IANS