Russian authorities have formally dismissed Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov, who was previously jailed on bribery charges, and has been accused of leading an opulent lifestyle. According to reports from Russian media on Thursday, a court has extended his pretrial detention for an additional three months.
Timur Ivanov, aged 48, is one among several senior military officials apprehended on charges of corruption in recent times. Ivanov had maintained a close association with Sergei Shoigu, the former Defence Minister, whom President Vladimir Putin replaced last month. Ivanov, arrested in April, faces accusations of accepting an especially large bribe. His legal representatives assert his innocence. The Basmanny District Court in Moscow extended his detention on Thursday, ensuring he remains in custody until at least September 23. Should he be convicted, Ivanov could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Russian media, referencing an online database of government officials, confirmed Ivanov’s dismissal from his post on Thursday. His lawyer, Denis Baluyev, corroborated the dismissal in comments to RBK, a Russian business news outlet. The precise date of Ivanov’s termination remains unclear from the reports.
In recent months, other high-ranking military officials have also been arrested on bribery allegations. These include Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, Deputy Chief of the Russian Military General Staff; General Ivan Popov, a former leading commander in Russia’s offensive in Ukraine; and Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov, head of the Defense Ministry’s personnel directorate. All three individuals face bribery accusations.
Ivanov’s career in the Defence Ministry began in 2016 when he was appointed by a presidential decree, as documented on the Ministry’s website. His responsibilities encompassed property management, military housing, and medical support, as well as overseeing construction projects.
The arrest of Ivanov follows nearly a month after President Putin directed the Federal Security Service to intensify systemic anti-corruption efforts, specifically focusing on state defense procurement.
Reports from Russian media indicate that Ivanov was responsible for overseeing several construction projects in Mariupol, a Ukrainian port city that experienced extensive devastation from bombardment and was subsequently occupied by Russian forces early in the conflict. Ivanov has also been subject to sanctions imposed by both the United States and the European Union.
In the summer of 2022, Zvezda, the official television channel of the Russian military, reported that the Defence Ministry was constructing an entire residential block in Mariupol. The coverage included Ivanov inspecting construction sites and newly established residential buildings.
In the same year, the team of the late Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner in Russia, accused Ivanov and his family of leading a lavish lifestyle characterized by expensive vacations abroad, opulent parties, and ownership of elite real estate. Activists further alleged that Ivanov’s wife, Svetlana, divorced him in 2022 to avoid sanctions while continuing to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.
This information has been sourced and adapted from The Hindu’s reporting.
[Source: TheHindu]
