Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Arrested: What is Known

The former Deputy Minister of Defense, Pavel Popov, has been sent to a pre-trial detention facility by the Military Court of the 235th District on charges of large-scale fraud.

This was reported by Korrespondent, citing RIA Novosti. “The investigation request has been satisfied, and detention has been chosen as a preventive measure for the suspect Popov until October 29,” the court stated.

Earlier, it was reported that according to the investigation, from 2021 to 2024, Popov, responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of the ‘Patriot’ park, enriched himself at the expense of that institution, acting in collaboration with the previously criminally prosecuted park director Vyacheslav Ahmedov and Vladimir Shesterov, deputy head of the Main Department for Innovative Development of the Russian Defense Ministry.

It was revealed that Popov arranged construction and renovation work, as well as the supply of material assets, for a land plot he owns in the Krasnogorsk region near Moscow, on behalf of the ‘Patriot’ park. Additionally, through his subordinates, he coerced leaders of commercial enterprises contracted with ‘Patriot’ to carry out construction and installation work at his villa located outside the city without any payment.

After the completion of the house construction and landscaping of the land plot, Popov continued to ensure the technical and economic maintenance of his approximately 3-hectare land at the expense of the park.