A Russian court has ordered one of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's deputies be kept in custody on suspicion of taking bribes, the highest-profile corruption case since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022.

Moscow

A Russian court has taken decisive action against a senior official in the Ministry of Defence, ordering the detention of Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov on charges of bribery. Ivanov, who has served in his position since 2016 and is responsible for property management, housing, construction, and mortgages within the ministry, was arrested and has been remanded in custody for two months pending further investigation. The court alleges that Ivanov was involved in a criminal conspiracy to accept property and services as bribes during his tenure.

This arrest is noteworthy as it marks the most prominent corruption case within the Russian government since the country's military engagement in Ukraine began in February 2022. Ivanov, a key figure in the Defence Ministry and a close associate of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, was apprehended a day after attending a meeting of top defense officials. The incident underscores the ongoing issues of corruption that have long been associated with Russia's post-Soviet armed forces.

The Kremlin has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin, who has recently tasked the Federal Security Service (FSB) with intensifying efforts to combat corruption within state defense procurement, is aware of Ivanov's arrest. The case has drawn considerable attention, fueling speculation about internal disputes among Russia's elite over tackling graft, and comes amid broader criticisms of corruption and incompetence within the military hierarchy. This scrutiny has intensified following the Russian military's challenges in Ukraine, including a rapid withdrawal from certain areas at the outset of the conflict. Ivanov now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, highlighting the serious consequences for high-level officials found guilty of corruption.



Russian deputy defense minister arrested for bribery

In a glass cage in a Moscow court stands Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov on Wednesday, a day after he was arrested at work for accepting large bribes. The court remanded him in custody for two months and said Ivanov entered into a criminal conspiracy with third parties to receive property and services while working for the Ministry of Defence. Ivanov, Deputy Minister since 2016, was in charge of property management, housing, construction and mortgages. The Defence Ministry, whose spending has spiralled since the start of the war, has made no comment. As the right-hand man of Defence Minister Sergei Shaigu, Ivanov's detention is the highest-profile corruption case since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been informed and Shaigu had also been told. Ivanov was present earlier on Tuesday at a meeting of top defence officials chaired by Shaigu. It's triggered speculation about a battle within the elite to crack down on corruption that has plagued Russia's post-Soviet armed forces. Russia's Kommersant newspaper said Ivanov was arrested by the Federal Security Service, the KGB, which Putin last month told to root out corruption in state defence procurement. Ivanov has been the subject of journalistic investigations which allege he and his family live a lavish luxury lifestyle. Russian military bloggers have accused top generals of corruption and incompetence after the army's hurried withdrawal from parts of Ukraine due to seriously overextending itself during the first days of the invasion. Ivanov faces 15 years in jail if convicted.

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