Ex-Russian Deputy Defense Minister on Trial for Million-Dollar Embezzlement
Court Appearance for Ex-Russian Deputy Defense Minister over Allegations of Embezzlement - Defense Ministry Ex-Deputy Faces Court for Alleged Theft
Here's the lowdown on the sensational court case:
Timur Ivanov, a one-time Deputy Defense Minister, is standing trial in Moscow, accused of swindling a whopping 38.3 million euros from Moscow's bank Interkommerz and another 2.2 million euros during the procurement of ferries for Crimea. His lawyer, Murad Musayev, regards the allegations reported by Russia's news agency RIA Novosti as bunk.
Ivanov, a close buddy of the former Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, who was sacked in May 2024, was the big cheese in the Russian Defense Ministry overseeing the construction of military facilities. He's currently on the EU sanctions list.
The Anti-Corruption Foundation, set up by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, points the finger at Ivanov for illegally enriching himself during the reconstruction of Mariupol, a Ukrainian city seized by Russian forces following intense fighting. Navalny, who met his demise under mysterious circumstances in a labor camp in February 2024, has been branded an "extremist" by Russian authorities.
It seems the Kremlin has ramped up its anti-corruption drive, with more than a dozen defense sector bigwigs nabbed since last year, many of whom are accused of pilfering public funds.
Time to Roll the Dice:
- Timur Ivanov
- Moscow Court Trial
- Embezzlement and Money Laundering
- Interkommerz Bank
- Crimean Ferry Procurement
- Anti-Corruption Foundation
- Alexei Navalny
- RIA Novosti
The Nitty-Gritty:
According to the latest intel, Ivanov is accused of stealing mind-boggling sums from Interkommerz and during the procurement of Crimean ferries. He stands accused of money laundering, which carries a maximum 15-year sentence. The allegations also include his involvement in the ferry procurement for Crimea.
In 2022, the Anti-Corruption Foundation – led by Alexei Navalny – dug up evidence against Ivanov regarding profits made during construction projects in Mariupol.
Ivanov's assets, including luxury and vintage cars, a sprawling mansion, a bathhouse, and a 20-acre plot of land, have been frozen. He was offically booted from his position just two months after his arrest in June 2024.
Ivanov and his co-accused, Anton Filatov, have pleaded not guilty, with Ivanov's lawyer dismissing the charges as baseless. This trial is part of a larger crackdown by the Russian government on corruption within the military. Ivanov is thought to have connections to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
[1] TASS News Agency. 2025. [Timur Ivanov and Anton Filatov go on trial for embezzlement.] (https://tass.com/defense/1333067).
[2] Reuters News Agency. 2025. [Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov accused of embezzlement.] (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/former-russian-deputy-defense-minister-timur-ivanov-accused-embezzlement-2025-03-10/)
[3] AFP News Agency. 2025. [Russian ex-Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on trial for embezzlement and money laundering.] (https://www.afp.com/en/news/262/russian-ex-deputy-defense-minister-timur-ivanov-trial-embezzlement-money-laundering-20250324FASWFK3)
- The trial of Timur Ivanov, the former Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, takes place in Moscow over allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, including the misappropriation of funds from an Interkommerz Bank transaction and the Crimean ferry procurement.
- In 2022, the Anti-Corruption Foundation led by Alexei Navalny uncovered evidence of Ivanov's alleged embezzlement during construction projects in Mariupol.
- Ivanov and his co-accused, Anton Filatov, deny the charges, with Ivanov's lawyer saying the allegations reported by Ria Novosti and other news agencies are baseless.
