A source from the Russian Ministry of Defense told the news agency TASS that Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed his deputy Timur Ivanov.
Also follow TASSthe Basmanny district court in Moscow said on April 25 that a third person was arrested in a bribery investigation focusing on Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov.
According to the court, Mr. Alexander Fomin – co-founder of Olimpsitistroy Construction Company – is suspected of paying bribes to Deputy Minister Ivanov (arrested on April 23) and Mr. Sergei Borodin (a close associate of Mr. Ivanov, currently serving detained).
The three people will be detained until at least June 23.
During the investigation process, Mr. Ivanov will be detained at Lefortovo detention camp. Investigators blocked all bank accounts and confiscated assets of Mr. Ivanov and his family.
Businessman Alexander Fomin in court in Moscow. Photos were published on April 25. Photo: Basmanny District Court
News agency TASS said Mr. Ivanov and Mr. Borodin were accused of receiving large bribes. According to the investigation agency, they conspired to commit crimes with a third party to receive bribes when performing contract work for the Russian Ministry of Defense.
A source from the law enforcement agency revealed that Mr. Borodin is a friend of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov and that his company is implementing defense contracts for the military agency.
Lawyer Denis Baluyev told TASS that Mr. Ivanov denied accepting bribes. According to the lawyer, evidence of money being transferred to Mr. Ivanov as a bribe does not exist.
According to TASSMr. Ivanov was suspected of receiving a bribe of 1 million rubles (about 10,800 USD).
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that President Vladimir Putin was briefed about Mr. Ivanov’s arrest. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu received “advance notice”.
Commenting on the information that Mr. Ivanov was suspected of committing “treason”, Mr. Peskov denied: “It’s all speculation.”
Mr. Timur Ivanov in court. Photo: TASS
Mr. Timur Ivanov was born in Moscow in 1975. In 1997, he graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University. In 2004, he graduated from the International Institute of Management and Marketing. He has an advanced degree in economics.
In 1999-2012, he worked in the fuel and energy sector.
In 2013-2016, Mr. Ivanov was the head of Oboronstroy, a company that builds housing for the military as well as other strategic military facilities.
In May 2016, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense, responsible for asset management, military accommodation, housing and medical support as well as defense procurement.
