Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov is facing serious allegations of corruption after being accused of accepting a bribe valued at more than 1 billion rubles ($12.2 million) in the form of services. The accusation, which has stirred controversy, could potentially land Ivanov in prison for up to 15 years if proven true.
The 48-year-old Ivanov is under investigation for alleged large-scale bribe-taking, with authorities pointing to a “criminal conspiracy” involving the acceptance of property services during Defense Ministry contracting and subcontracting processes.
Ivanov, known to be a close associate of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, has vehemently denied the accusations leveled against him.
According to his attorney Murad Musayev, the services Ivanov is accused of accepting were related to construction work and materials amounting to approximately 1.12 billion rubles. Musayev clarified that these services were deemed as the cost of work and materials expended on projects.
Musayev emphasized that the criminal case revolves around construction activities. He refuted claims that certain Defense Ministry contractors had built facilities for Ivanov, asserting that such allegations were unfounded.
Despite Ivanov’s denial, the allegations have cast a shadow over the Russian Defense Ministry and its contracting procedures. The case underscores the challenges of combating corruption within the Russian government and highlights the potential risks associated with high-level officials engaging in illicit activities.
As investigations continue, the outcome of the case will likely have significant implications not only for Ivanov but also for the broader anti-corruption efforts within Russia’s defense sector.