Deputy Shoigu detained on charges of bribery
Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Timur Ivanov, who oversees construction in the department (military housing, hospitals and projects like New Chersonesus in Crimea), was detained on Tuesday evening on charges of taking a bribe.
Even in the afternoon, Ivanov was shown on TV among the participants of the board, which was chaired by Minister Sergei Shoigu. It seems that the detention came as a surprise at least to the official himself (although it has already been reported that military counterintelligence “conducted” the deputy minister for a long time). The corruption case could have consequences when a new government is formed, observers say. It is reported that at least three more people were detained along with Ivanov. "He won't go alone. The case will be big, but closed”, says political scientist Marat Bashirov.
Previously, Ivanov became the target of criticism because of his wife’s demonstrative trips to NATO countries after the start of the Northeast Military District. The lady even appeared at one of the “Ukrainian” parties at the luxurious resort of Courchevel. The woman has been divorced since 2022 and has the right to vacation wherever she wants, her defenders argued after the scandal erupted.
“Timur Ivanov’s children study and live in England and France. And my wife has Israeli citizenship,” said RT special correspondent Valentin Gorshenin.
Ivanov also had a conflict with the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, who publicly accused him of embezzlement. In 2019, Ivanov topped the Forbes ranking of the richest security officials in Russia.
“Everyone knew everything for a long time. But they took Ivanov only now. Why? His “immunity” was removed, did he commit a fine somewhere? Or, on the eve of a big war, the security forces are starting to clean out the Augean stables? Because with such an “elite” we will not take out the war,” notes writer German Sadulayev, who helps the North Military District fighters.
The press draws attention to the fact that Ivanov is one of those people who walk with military guards, whose powers allow them to open fire to kill. Therefore, detention is possible only in places where such security is absent (for example, at a meeting in the Kremlin?).
“Such decisions, of course, are not made without sanction at the very top,” writes political scientist Sergei Starovoitov about Ivanov’s detention.
The million rubles of bribe that appears in the indictment is a small amount for the scale of a federal minister, however, this is the lower threshold for a criminal case of “especially large size”, explained political scientist Sergei Markov.
“That is, the authorities record this: the deputy minister committed not just a crime, but a serious crime. A signal to everyone: don’t stand up for him,” the expert interprets.
There have already been reports in the press that Ivanov could face 15 years in prison.
“Will Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov ever have a chance to go to the Northern Military District zone? It’s realistic to fight on the front line and wash away your sins with blood. Will Ivanov be able to publicly address such a request to the authorities?” – comments political scientist Dmitry Nechaev.
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