Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov. Photo Sputnik
The charges focus on Popov’s activities between 2021 and 2024 and his role in developing the vast military-themed Patriot Park outside the Russian capital. President Vladimir Putin fired him from his position at the Defense Ministry in mid-June.
Investigators allege that Mr Popov pressured contractors hired to work on the state-owned entertainment and educational centre to provide free construction materials and services to his personal property in the Moscow region. Some projects were billed to the government instead of being carried out by the companies at a loss, the statement said.
The scheme was allegedly run by Popov in collusion with former Patriot Park director Vyacheslav Akhmedov and Vladimir Shesterov, another senior military official caught up in the investigation. Both were arrested earlier this month and charged with embezzlement.
Patriot Park opened in 2015 near the famous Kubinka Tank Museum in the Moscow Region. The park stretches over 3,500 hectares and includes the Armed Forces Cathedral, several museums, a conference center and other facilities. The park recently hosted an exhibition of NATO-made heavy weapons captured by the Russian military from Ukrainian forces.