Former Russian deputy defence minister is sentenced to 13 years for corruption
MOSCOW - Former Russian deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov was found guilty of corruption on Tuesday and sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Ivanov was arrested in April 2024 on suspicion of taking bribes, and investigators added new embezzlement charges in October.
His case is part of the biggest slew of corruption scandals to hit the Russian defence establishment in years. More than a dozen people, including two other former deputy ministers, have been arrested in a series of investigations.
Ivanov, who had pleaded not guilty, was also stripped of all his state awards. His lawyer said he would appeal.
State media reported that the total sum alleged to have been embezzled by Ivanov and others was 4.1 billion roubles ($48.8 million), mostly in the form of bank transfers to two foreign accounts.
The trial took place behind closed doors on grounds of state secrecy. A former subordinate of Ivanov, Anton Filatov, was sentenced to 12-1/2 years.
Russian media said Ivanov and his wife owned a luxury apartment in central Moscow, a three-storey English-style mansion on the outskirts of the capital and an extensive collection of classic cars including a Bentley and an Aston Martin.
Ivanov's arrest last year was celebrated by Russia's "Z-bloggers", an influential group of war correspondents and analysts who support Moscow's invasion of Ukraine but argue that front-line troops have been let down by the military top brass, whom they have frequently portrayed as incompetent, out-of-touch and corrupt. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Iran warns against 'destructive approach' of European countries in call with EU foreign policy chief
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi looks on during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo CAIRO - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas against what he called the "destructive approach" of several European countries, he said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday. Araqchi also criticised the stance of some European countries over the recent air war between Israel and Iran, saying it was supportive of Israel and the United States. He did not specify which countries he had in mind. Kallas said after the call that "negotiations on ending Iran's nuclear programme should restart as soon as possible". In a post on social media platform X, the EU's top diplomat said cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency "must resume" and that the bloc is ready to facilitate. "Any threats to pull out of the non-proliferation treaty don't help to lower tensions," she added. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
US charges two Chinese nationals in efforts to recruit US service members
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: United States Department of Justice logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo U.S. prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals with acting as agents of the Chinese government in efforts to recruit American service members, the Justice Department said on Tuesday. Yuance Chen, 38, a legal permanent resident living in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Liren 'Ryan' Lai, 39, who traveled to Houston in April on a tourist visa, were arrested on Friday, the department said in a statement. The pair made their initial appearances in federal court in Houston and Portland, Oregon on Monday, it said. The two worked on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security to facilitate a "dead-drop payment" of $10,000 cash in exchange for information related to U.S. national security, which was left in locker at a recreational facility in Northern California in 2022, it said. They "continued to work on behalf of the MSS, including to help identify potential assets for MSS recruitment within the ranks of the U.S. Navy," the Justice Department said. "The Chinese Communist Party thought they were getting away with their scheme to operate on U.S. soil, utilizing spy craft, like dead drops, to pay their sources," FBI Director Kash Patel said a statement. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Israeli army says missile launched from Yemen's Houthis intercepted
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox CAIRO - The Israeli army said on Tuesday that a missile launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory had been intercepted. Israel has threatened Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement - which has been attacking Israel in what it says is solidarity with Gaza - with a naval and air blockade if its attacks on Israel persist. Since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade. Most of the dozens of missiles and drones they have launched have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes. REUTERS
