Ex-Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison
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Ex-Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison
A Moscow court sentenced former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov to 13 years in prison. Ivanov, who had overseen military construction projects since his 2016 appointment, was arrested in April 2024. His case marked the start of a wider Kremlin-led crackdown on corruption within the Defense Ministry.
Ivanov, who had overseen military construction projects since his 2016 appointment, was arrested in April 2024. His case marked the start of a wider Kremlin-led crackdown on corruption within the Defense Ministry, which has seen the arrests of several other high-ranking officers.
Initially charged with bribery, prosecutors later accused Ivanov of embezzling 4.1 billion rubles ($52.4 million) through foreign bank transfers and an additional 216 million rubles ($2.7 million) during the purchase of two ferries for a crossing between Russia and annexed Crimea.
In addition to prison time, the Moscow City Court fined the 49-year-old ex-defense official 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) and stripped him of his state awards, the exiled news outlet Mediazona reported. Court hearings in the case had been held behind closed doors since March.
Prosecutors had sought a 14.5-year prison sentence.
Independent journalist Farida Rustamova said Ivanov’s sentence is the longest for a current or former high-ranking Russian government official in modern history.
Russia’s former deputy defense minister handed 13-year sentence on corruption
Russia’s former deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, sentenced to 13 years in prison. Ivanov is the most prominent figure caught up in an extensive investigation into military corruption. His extravagant lifestyle sparked public anger in Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine revealed significant shortcomings in military logistics and organization that contributed to Russia’s military struggles.
Ivanov, 49, is the most prominent figure caught up in an extensive investigation into military corruption that has implicated several senior officials linked to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Despite the crackdown on his associates, Shoigu, a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, retained his political influence and was recently appointed as the head of Russia’s Security Council.
Appointed as deputy defense minister in 2016, Ivanov was responsible for overseeing military construction, property management, housing, and medical support for armed forces personnel. His extravagant lifestyle sparked public anger in Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine revealed significant shortcomings in military logistics and organization that contributed to Russia’s military struggles.
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Ivanov was arrested in April 2024 and has been in detention since. On Tuesday, Moscow City Court convicted him of embezzling 3.9 billion rubles — approximately $50 million — which he has denied. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the seizure of his assets, which reportedly include luxury real estate and a valuable collection of vintage cars.
Ivanov’s legal team announced plans to appeal the verdict.
He has also been placed under sanctions by both the United States and the European Union for his involvement in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.