In recent weeks, a new profile of detainees has appeared in Moscow courts: that of generals. The latest is Valery Mumindjanov, deputy commander of the Leningrad military district. On Monday 2 September, the investigative commission arrested this former senior official of the Ministry of Defence, accused of having received a bribe of more than 20 million rubles (about 200,000 euros) during the conclusion of contracts for the supply of uniforms.
Four days earlier, former Deputy Defence Minister General Pavel Popov was arrested and charged with “fraud”. He is said to have enriched himself through the development of the Patriot Park, built in the outer suburbs of Moscow to host military forums and feed the Kremlin’s patriotic narrative. The investigative committee delved into his personal belongings: he allegedly owns property worth more than 500 million rubles. “in prestigious areas” in Moscow and the south of the country.
In total, in just five months, at least ten generals and officials from the Ministry of Defense have been arrested or prosecuted for fraud and corruption cases by the investigative committee. This powerful judicial body, which reports directly to the Kremlin, could not act without the approval of its superiors. “Corruption is in the DNA of this ministry. Today it is time to clean things up a bit, although in reality it will not change much.”insists a European expert from the Russian army in Moscow.
do housework
This wave of arrests began shortly after Vladimir Putin’s re-election on March 17, with the spectacular arrest on April 23 of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who was responsible in particular for the reconstruction of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and was known for his expensive lifestyle. In turn, Yuri Kouznetsov, head of the ministry’s personnel department, Vladimir Verteletsky, head of the supply department, then General Vadim Chamarine, deputy chief of the General Staff, and finally Ivan Popov, were imprisoned. 58my army.
All those prosecuted for fraud or corruption face up to fifteen years in prison. These arrests, described as “purge” via certain Russian military Telegram channels, have accelerated since the Kremlin appointed a new defence minister on 12 May. Andreï Belooussov, an economist and mathematician by training, known for being tough and honest but with no military experience, has been tasked with cleaning up.
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