Senior Officials Of The Russian Ministry Of Defense Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison For Corruption In Patriot Park

JAKARTA - A senior official from the Russian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) was sentenced to six years in prison on Thursday.

Major General Vladimir Shesterov was found guilty of fraud and forgery related to the military theme park project.

Vladimir Shesterov was detained in August 2024 for his role in corruption in Patriot Park, a war-themed tourist attraction outside Moscow.

Two other men, including Pavel Popov, the former deputy defense minister, also face lawsuits.

State news agency RIA, citing investigative material, said Shesterov and former park director Vyacheslav Akhmedov, who were also detained, falsified documents related to construction work completed in the park worth about 26 million rubles ($332,000).

The scandal in Patriot Park is one of a series of criminal cases against former top officials who have ensnared the Russian army in recent months.

Shesterov fully acknowledged his mistake, but insisted he did not accept any material benefits from the corruption.

"I am guilty, I do not cover up my mistakes, I sincerely repent," he said in court, according to RIA.

Akhmedov has also filed a guilty defense in his trial.

The case against Popov, the former deputy defense minister, is still ongoing.

RIA reports Popov has instructed Shesterov and Akhmedov to wake up a two-story house, guest guest guest guest guesthouse with sickles, and a two-story garage on Popov's land in Moscow - with the Ministry of Defense covering the costs.

Popov had previously denied making a mistake.

Patriot Park showcased a large collection of Russian and Soviet weapons, and offered visitors the opportunity to board tanks and participate in combat simulations.

On its website, the park also features a photo gallery of a "special military operations hero" - the official Russian term for its war in Ukraine.