Moscow, April 24, 2024, The Europe Today: Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov has been arrested on suspicion of bribery, as announced by the country’s Investigative Committee on Tuesday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu have been informed about Ivanov’s arrest.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ivanov participated in an extended ministerial meeting led by Defense Minister Shoigu, which included several senior Russian officials and top military commanders.
While specific details about the case were not disclosed by the Investigative Committee, it was stated that Ivanov is suspected of accepting large-scale bribes. The Russian penal code referenced by the Committee stipulates that such bribes involve sums of at least 1 million rubles (over $10,500). If convicted, Ivanov could face up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Timur Ivanov has held prominent roles in Russia’s energy and construction sectors, previously working at various state-owned companies. Notably, he served as the head of the military construction contractor Oboronstroy from 2013 to 2016, focusing on building residential properties for servicemen. Ivanov subsequently assumed his current position as Deputy Defense Minister, overseeing military construction within the defense ministry.
The arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov underscores ongoing efforts in Russia to combat corruption within government and state institutions. The Investigative Committee’s action reflects the seriousness with which authorities are addressing allegations of bribery and malfeasance at high levels of government.
This development is likely to have broader implications within Russia’s defense establishment and underscores the country’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public service.
