RUSSIAN DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER DETAINED FOR ALLEGEDLY RECEIVING BRIBES

Russia’s deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov has been detained on suspicion of taking bribe in one of the highest-profile corruption cases since Moscow launched its war in Ukraine, the country’s top investigative police agency has said.

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code (bribe-taking)," the press service of the Russian Investigative Committee was quoted by Russian news agency TASS.

Investigators cited a statute for the detention of Ivanov, who has held his position for eight years, alleging his involvement in accepting bribes "on a particularly large scale". In 2022, Russia's Anti-Corruption Foundation, led by the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny accused Ivanov and his family of leading an opulent lifestyle characterized by spending on real estate, extravagant trips, and designer clothing.

Reports from Russian media indicated that Ivanov oversaw significant construction projects, including the rebuilding efforts in the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which suffered extensive damage and was occupied by Russia during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian news agencies, said a report on Ivanov's detention had been presented to President Vladimir Putin. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had been informed in advance of his detention, he said.

The daily Izvestia reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that searches were conducted late on Tuesday at some of Ivanov's properties. Russian news reports said that Ivanov, if convicted, could face up to 15 years in prison.

Forbes magazine listed Ivanov, an expert in cybernetics and the nuclear industry, as one of the wealthiest men in Russia's security structures. News outlet RBK posted a picture of him attending a meeting of ministerial officials earlier on Tuesday chaired by Shoigu.

Russian news reports said Ivanov was likely the most senior Russian official to face such charges since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He worked in companies dealing with fuel and energy and in the Moscow regional government before joining the defence ministry in 2010. He became a deputy minister in 2016.

With inputs from Reuters.

2024-04-24T05:47:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd