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Russia Sentences Ex–Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov to 19 Years in Corruption Case

The verdict signals a tougher phase in Russia's anti-corruption drive in the Defence Ministry.

Overview

  • Popov, who was sentenced Friday by a Moscow military court, received 19 years in a maximum-security penal colony.
  • The court also imposed an 85 million ruble fine and stripped him of his retired general rank.
  • Prosecutors said he siphoned Patriot Park funds and building materials to build a family dacha, bathhouse and garage; Patriot Park is a state-run military theme park near Moscow.
  • He pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer said they will appeal and cited a serious health condition.
  • The case extends a broader sweep of officials tied to ex-minister Sergei Shoigu, with prior prison terms for Timur Ivanov and Vladimir Shesterov after President Vladimir Putin installed Andrei Belousov to tighten budget oversight.