Why was the deputy defense minister arrested in Russia? -News


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The surprise imprisonment of Timur Ivanov sparked speculation about a power struggle. What exactly is there?

That happened: The Russian domestic secret service FSB arrested Timur Ivanov, one of twelve deputy defense ministers, on Tuesday. The Moscow District Court accuses him of accepting particularly large amounts of bribes. No details were given. In the country’s biggest corruption case since the beginning of the war, an entrepreneur who was his friend was also arrested. Ivanov, who will remain in custody until June 23, denies the allegations. It is the presumption of innocence.

Plausible justification: The arrest, officially based on corruption, is “absolutely plausible,” says ARD Russia correspondent Frank Aischmann. The anti-corruption foundation of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died in custody, has already made allegations of corruption against Ivanov. According to various media reports, Ivanov could be punished with a heavy fine or up to 15 years in prison.

Timur Ivanov


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Legend:

EPA/RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT

The 48-year-old has held his post as deputy defense minister since 2016. According to various media reports, Ivanov was responsible for real estate issues – including organizing property management, building military facilities and troop accommodation, and accommodating medical supplies for the armed forces. He was also responsible for construction projects in the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which Russian forces themselves completely destroyed during the siege in the first months of the war in 2022. According to Navalny’s foundation, he is also said to have personally benefited from the awarding of construction contracts.

Ivanow, originally a mathematician, initially worked in the energy industry for years. Afterwards, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu – then provincial governor of the Moscow region – made him deputy head of government in 2012.

Rumor 1: Just the beginning: Ivanov’s imprisonment sparked speculation about a power struggle within the Russian leadership. Among other things, it is speculated that the arrest of Ivanov, a close confidante of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, could be just the beginning of a castling attack in the ministry. Because in two weeks, when Putin is sworn in for another term, the government will have to resign and Putin will have to fill the individual positions. In view of the war in Ukraine, which from Russia’s perspective was unsuccessful, it could be, according to Aischmann, “that a signal was sent to Shoigu, namely: ‘That’s it for you’.” But the argument could also be turned around: a deputy of Shoigu would be punished “in order to present his own backyard as swept clean,” said Aischmann.

A thorn in Putin’s side


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President Putin has repeatedly criticized excessive celebrations in view of the heavy fighting in Ukraine. Last month he also ordered the FSB – which later arrested Ivanov – to take tougher action against corruption in the procurement of military goods. The Tass news agency reported that the secret service had been investigating Ivanov for a long time.

Rumor 2: Timur Ivanov exaggerated it: People fight and die in the Ukrainian War, while Ivanov enjoys a carefree life with his family. “Perhaps this is a warning shot to everyone in similar positions,” says Aischmann.

Rumor 3: High Treason: There are also rumors that the corruption allegations could be treason. “It’s just a rumor,” says the ARD correspondent.

A life of luxury


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In 2022, the Anti-Corruption Foundation denounced that Ivanov and his family lead a lavish lifestyle with spending on real estate, luxurious travel and designer clothing.

“He led a really dissolute life,” says ARD correspondent Aischmann. He went on expensive vacations in Europe and bought expensive jewelry as well as clothes, apartments, cars, houses and land in and near Moscow. The position of deputy defense minister does not provide all of this.

Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation was declared an extremist organization and banned by the Russian government.

Rumor 4: Too greedy for Prigozhin’s inheritance: Outside Russia, the inheritance of the slain head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is currently being distributed, for example shares in mines and other properties. “Perhaps Ivanov stretched his hands out too tightly,” says Aischmann.

Rumor 5: At the mercy of a power struggle: But it could also be that the traditional fight between the FSB and the military has escalated, Aischamann speculates. The secret service is having difficulty arguing why it was unable to prevent the terrorist attack near Moscow. “Perhaps the Ministry of Defense was too strengthened in terms of balance,” said Aischmann.

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