Russia's Deputy Defense Minister detained on suspicion of accepting a bribe

Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Timur Ivanov, has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe, announced the Russian Investigative Committee on Tuesday. Ivanov, who is 48 years old, stands accused of receiving a significant bribe, a crime that could result in a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

“Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, has been detained on suspicion of committing the crime outlined in part 6 of article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code (bribery),” stated the Investigative Committee.

According to the TASS news agency, searches are currently being carried out in Ivanov’s office and his place of residence. On Tuesday, Ivanov, who was responsible for construction matters, attended a meeting of the Russian military leadership chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

A native of Moscow, Ivanov previously worked in energy and fuel companies within the country. He also served as the deputy governor of the Moscow region and was appointed as the number two in the Defense Ministry in 2016.

In 2022, the illegal Anti-Corruption Fund of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny exposed the lavish lifestyle of the Russian deputy minister both in Russia and Europe in one of its investigations.