Russian governor accused of taking bribes

A Russian governor, Nikita Belykh, who has been critical of the Kremlin, has been detained over claims he accepted a bribe.

A Russian governor has been detained over claims he accepted a bribe. (AAP)

Russian investigators have detained the governor of the Kirov region, saying they had caught him accepting a bribe in a Moscow restaurant.

The governor, Nikita Belykh, has been critical of the Kremlin and was formerly leader of a party, the Union of Rightist Forces.

A spokesman for the Investigative Committee said in a statement Belykh was accused of taking a bribe of 400,000 euros ($A598,802) and that a criminal case had been opened.

Vladimir Markin, the spokesman, denied there was any political subtext to Belykh's detention.

Investigators published a photograph on their website of Belykh sitting at a table on which piles of green 100-euro notes were laid out.

Russian news agencies reported that Belykh was taken by investigators for questioning.

Belykh's press service was not immediately available for comment.

Three months from a parliamentary election and with an economic crisis raging, Kremlin critics say Russian officials are keen to keep opponents in check.