Russia Holds Senior Defense Officials Related To The Military Patriot Park Corruption Case

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Russian authorities have detained senior Defense Ministry officials in a series of investigations into the latest corruption cases linked to military amusement parks.

Major General Vladimir Shesterov was arrested for alleged corruption. Another party who was arrested was Vyacheslav Akhmedov, director of Patriot Park with the theme of war near Moscow.

"According to the investigation, these people, along with their accomplices, were involved in the corruption of budget funds allocated for Patriot Park activities and functions as well as convention and exhibition centers," the investigative committee said.

State news agency RIA said other park employees had also been detained and examined.

Dozens of people have now been involved in the wave of the biggest corruption scandals that have hit the Russian military and defense for years.

The disclosure of the case began on April 23 with the arrest of Timur Ivanov, deputy defense minister accused of accepting bribes from construction companies.

Other officials arrested since then include a major army general and deputy chief general staff, as well as businessmen suspected of giving bribes.

The investigation marks the Kremlin's serious efforts to eradicate corruption among the military as the war in Ukraine approaches two and a half years.

In May, shortly after the first arrest, President Vladimir Putin suddenly fired Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and replaced him with economist Andrei Belousov.