MOSCOW, September 29 - RAPSI. A Moscow court handed down a three-year suspended sentence to a federal registration service's official for bribery charges, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) on Thursday.

Investigators said Igor Drobyshevsky extorted 150,000 rubles ($4,700) from a land owner for turning a blind eye to violations of the land law. He later reduced his demands by half.

Drobyshevsky was detained by the police when he received the bribe on April 12.

"The court handed down a three-year suspended sentence to Drobyshevsky and set a three-year probation period on him. The convict was also prohibited from holding public offices for three years," the court said.