In a closed trial on 7/7, a Russian military court found former deputy chief of the general staff Khalil Arslanov and others guilty of embezzling approximately 1.6 billion rubles (over 20 million USD) from Ministry of Defense contracts with Voentelecom, a company that provides telecommunications services and equipment to the Russian armed forces.

General Arslanov was also convicted of extorting a 12 million ruble (150,000 USD) bribe from the former director of a company specializing in military communications equipment. He was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison and fined 24 million rubles (300,000 USD), double the amount of the bribe he received.

Khalil Arslanov in a photo published on 7/7. Photo: TASS

Khalil Arslanov in a photo published on 7/7. Photo: TASS

Two other defendants in the case, Colonel Pavel Kutakhov, former head of procurement for the Russian military, and retired serviceman Igor Yakovlev, were sentenced to 7 and 6 years in prison, respectively.

Arslanov became the head of the Communications Directorate and deputy chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 2013, before losing his position due to his arrest in 2020.

According to Kommersant, General Arslanov participated in Russia's campaign in Syria, where he was responsible for establishing a network of satellite communication stations. He received numerous medals for his military service.

Russia has recently stepped up prosecutions of high-ranking defense officials, following a series of corruption scandals related to the military over the past year.

Last week, a Moscow court sentenced former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov to 13 years in prison and a fine for embezzlement of public funds. Ivanov's subordinate was also sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined for a similar offense.

Russian media reported on 7/7 that General Viktor Strigunov, former deputy commander of the Russian National Guard, was arrested on charges of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.

Pham Giang (Reuters, TASS, Meduza)