Moscow Court Rules To Arrest Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Accused Of Bribery

A Moscow court on Wednesday arrested Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who was detained Tuesday night on charges of bribery.

During a hearing in Moscow's Basmanny court, it was disclosed that Ivanov faces allegations of bribery linked to contract and subcontract activities undertaken for the Defense Ministry.

The investigators said Ivanov was detained at his workplace and pleaded not guilty.

The court also revealed the detention and subsequent arrest of another suspect, Sergey Borodin, a former colonel who was similarly remanded into custody.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the situation, with Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu being forewarned about the impending detentions.

Before being appointed the deputy defense minister in May 2016, Ivanov worked in management positions in governmental bodies and state companies.​​​​​​​ -