Russian Deputy Defense Minister Accused of Bribery
In a startling turn of events, a Russian deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, has been accused of accepting bribes and has been remanded in custody by a court in Moscow. The charges against Ivanov allege that he accepted bribes “on a particularly large scale”, casting a shadow over his tenure as the overseer of Russia’s military infrastructure projects.
Corruption Allegations Rock Moscow
Activists have long decried the rampant corruption in Russia, but high-profile cases like Ivanov’s have been rare since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ivanov, a close associate of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, has been a key figure in Russian politics, previously serving as deputy prime minister of the Moscow region.
Denials and Suspicions
The Kremlin has vehemently denied reports suggesting that Ivanov’s arrest was related to suspicions of treason. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, urged the public to focus on official information, stating that President Vladimir Putin was informed of Ivanov’s detention in advance.
Legal Ramifications
The Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) has accused Ivanov of participating in corrupt practices during construction projects in Ukraine’s occupied territories. The Basmanny district court in Moscow has remanded Ivanov in jail for two months, with potential charges carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Fallout and Speculation
Ivanov’s arrest has sent shockwaves through Russia’s governing elite, with some speculating that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu could be next in line for scrutiny. The US, UK, and EU have imposed sanctions on Ivanov, highlighting the severity of the allegations against him.
Source: BBC
