Russia looks into Daimler corruption charges-media

Two Russian state agencies launched internal investigations into allegations of corruption linked to purchasing cars from Germany's Daimler AG after three weeks of official silence, media reported on Friday. Daimler on April 1 agreed to pay $185 million to settle charges of violating U.S. anti-bribery laws brought by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Daimler's German and Russian units each agreed to plead guilty to two counts of violating U.S. anti-bribery laws.

State news agency RIA quoted an unnamed spokesman for the Russian federal agency that provides security for officials as saying the agency's head had ordered an internal investigation into media reports about corruption.

"Specialists and experts from related units are studying documents linked to preparations and signing of contracts for car purchases for the Special Purpose Garage," RIA quoted the Federal Guards Service spokesman as saying.

The Special Purpose Garage provides transportation services for the president, prime minister, speakers of both chambers of parliament, former presidents of the USSR and Russia as well as foreign leaders on official visits to Russia.

Both President Dmitry Medvedev, who has made fighting corruption a priority, and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ride in Mercedes cars. Neither has made public comments about the Daimler allegations.

Berlin-based group Transparency International rates Russia a joint 146th out of 180 nations in its Corruption Perception Index, with a higher number signifying a higher perception of corruption.

Separately, Russia's Interior Ministry has launched its own internal investigation.