Russian officials announced the arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov on suspicion of accepting bribes, a crime that could carry a prison sentence of 15 years.
“Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was arrested on suspicion of bribery under clause 6, article 290 of the Russian penal code. Necessary investigative activities are taking place”, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation ( SKR) said on April 23.
SKR has not released details about the amount of money Mr. Ivanov received. Russian media reported that Mr. Ivanov is suspected of accepting bribes of at least one million rubles (more than 10,000 USD) and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Mr. Timur Ivanov at a meeting at the Russian Ministry of Defense on April 23. Image: BQP Nga
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister General Sergey Shoigu were informed about Mr. Ivanov’s arrest.
Mr. Ivanov, 48 years old, may be the highest-ranking Russian official to face accusations of accepting bribes since the country’s conflict with Ukraine broke out in February 2022.
Before joining the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2010, Mr. Ivanov worked in fuel and energy trading companies and the Moscow province government. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense in 2016.
Mr. Ivanov is a state councilor of the first rank, a position equivalent to the rank of general and admiral in the Russian army. Magazine Forbes said Mr. Ivanov, an expert in cybernetics and the nuclear industry, is one of the richest people in Russia’s security structure.