A Russian Deputy Defence Minister has been detained on suspicion of taking bribes, a top law-enforcement body said on Tuesday.
Timur Ivanov, who has held the post since 2016, was taken into custody, Russia’s Investigative Committee said without offering any further details.
The TASS news agency reported that he was suspected of taking a bribe worth at least 1 million roubles ($10,000) and could face 15 years behind bars if found guilty.
Ivanov is primarily responsible for construction projects overseen by the Defence Ministry, including areas of Ukraine that was destroyed and occupied by Russia.
He is one of 12 deputies under Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu.
Accusations of corruption against Ivanov were made following Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF), an investigative team founded by the late Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, accused him of having the construction of properties in multiple Russian regions financed by Defence Ministry contractors.
