Ex-Defense Officials Face Corruption Charges Amid Military Theme Park Scandal

Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a fraud investigation against Pavel Popov, a former deputy defense minister. This case marks the latest in a series of corruption probes involving officials connected to ex-defense minister Sergei Shoigu. The investigation centers around fraud related to the construction of a military theme park near Moscow.

Russia's Investigative Committee announced on Thursday that it has opened a fraud case against Pavel Popov, a former deputy defense minister. This is the latest in a series of corruption investigations targeting officials linked to former defense minister Sergei Shoigu. Popov, who served since 2013, is under scrutiny for alleged fraud related to the construction of a military theme park near Moscow.

The state-run RIA news agency released footage of Popov, handcuffed, arriving at a Moscow court on Thursday. A judge is set to decide whether he should be formally arrested. Popov is among a slew of officials who have been ensnared in the largest wave of corruption scandals to strike Russia's military and defense establishment in recent years.

Following the first wave of arrests in April, President Vladimir Putin removed the long-serving Shoigu and appointed economist Andrei Belousov as defense minister, aiming for stricter management of the defense budget and to curb waste and graft. Political commentators suggest that the investigation into Popov is part of Belousov's broader anti-corruption crackdown on those with ties to Shoigu.

(With inputs from agencies.)