06
Apr
2006
Posted by: Mark Ashley

lie detector Truth or Dare: Moscow styleIf you’re routinely profiled by police and security officers as “suspicious,” and especially if you’ve ever lied to an officer of the law for any reason, prepare for “an intense atmosphere” when traveling to Moscow. Officials at the Domodedovo airport will be introducing lie detectors at security checkpoints. This is likely in response to the 2004 bombings of two separate intra-Russian flights. The perpetrators apparently got on board after bribing airline employees.

At first, only passengers deemed suspicious by the FSB, the security service that succeeded the KGB, will take the test. But it will eventually encompass all passengers.
[...]
The machine asks four questions. The first is for full identity, while the second, unnerving in its Soviet-style abruptness, demands: “Have you ever lied to the authorities?” It then asks if the passenger is carrying weapons or narcotics.

To cut delays to a minimum, passengers will take the test after putting their shoes and baggage through the X-ray machines and before retrieving them. Officials insist that it will take between 30 seconds and a minute.

The possibilities for abuse are obvious. Who do you suppose will be deemed suspicious?… Anyone flying to the Caucasus can prepare for a lovely conversation, I’m sure.

pixel Truth or Dare: Moscow style
Categorized in: airport security

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