Timur Ivanov, Russian Deputy Protection Minister, who was faraway from workplace and detained on suspicion of accepting bribes. | Photograph credit score: Reuters
Russian authorities have formally dismissed a deputy protection minister jailed on bribery fees and accused by Kremlin critics of main a lavish way of life, Russian media reported Thursday. A court docket ordered his preventive detention to be prolonged for 3 extra months.
Timur Ivanov, 48, is certainly one of a number of senior navy officers arrested on corruption fees in current months. He was an in depth affiliate of Sergei Shoigu, whom President Vladimir Putin changed as protection minister final month.
Ivanov, arrested in April, was accused of accepting a very massive bribe. His legal professionals mentioned he maintains his innocence. On Thursday, the Basmanny District Court docket in Moscow prolonged his detention pending investigation and trial till at the least September 23. If he’s convicted, he faces as much as 15 years in jail.
Russian media, citing an internet file of presidency officers, mentioned Thursday that Ivanov was fired from his place. His lawyer Denis Baluyev confirmed his dismissal in feedback to the Russian enterprise information website RBK. The studies didn’t instantly clarify when precisely Ivanov was fired.
Different senior navy officers arrested in current months embody the deputy chief of the Russian navy Common Employees, Lieutenant Common Vadim Shamarin; Common Ivan Popov, former prime commander of the Russian offensive in Ukraine; and Lieutenant Common Yury Kuznetsov, head of the personnel directorate of the Ministry of Protection. All three have been charged with bribery.
Based on the Ministry of Protection web site, Ivanov was appointed in 2016 by presidential decree. He oversaw property administration, housing and medical help for the navy, in addition to development initiatives.
Ivanov’s arrest got here nearly a month after Putin requested the Federal Safety Service to “keep a systemic anti-corruption effort” and pay particular consideration to state protection procurement.
Russian media reported that Ivanov supervised a few of the development in Mariupol, a Ukrainian port metropolis that was devastated by bombing and occupied by Russian forces in the beginning of the struggle. Ivanov has been sanctioned by each the USA and the European Union.
Zvezda, the official tv channel of the Russian navy, reported in summer season 2022 that the ministry was constructing a complete residential block in Mariupol and confirmed Ivanov inspecting development websites and newly constructed residential buildings.
That very same 12 months, the group of the late Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most distinguished opposition chief and anti-corruption activist, alleged that Ivanov and his household had been having fun with lavish journeys overseas, lavish events and proudly owning elite actual property. Activists additionally alleged that Ivanov’s spouse, Svetlana, divorced him in 2022 to keep away from sanctions and continued to reside a lavish way of life.