Former Russian Deputy Defence Minister detained over Patriot park fraud
In Russia, former Deputy Defence Minister, Army General Pavel Popov, has been detained. He is accused of fraud associated with the construction and maintenance of the "Patriot" park.
According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Popov, while responsible for the implementation of the "Patriot" park, enriched himself at its expense, "acting together with the park's director Vyacheslav Akhmedov and the Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Innovative Development of the Ministry of Defence, Vladimir Shesterov".
Deputy Defence Minister detained
The amount stolen exceeded 30-40 million roubles (£247,000 - £329,000).
It was found that Popov "organised construction and renovation works at the park's expense, as well as the delivery of various material assets to his farm plot in the Krasnogorsk region".
Additionally, he forced the heads of commercial organisations to "carry out construction and assembly works in his apartments without paying for them".
Popov and his family own properties in prestigious districts of Moscow, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar Territory, which cost over £4,230,000. On 17 June, Putin decreed that Popov be dismissed.
The former Deputy Minister faces up to 10 years in prison.
"Patriot" park in Russia
The "Patriot" park is a theme park in Kubinka, Russia, centred around the equipment of the Russian army and the victory of the Soviet Union in World War II.
The park houses the Aviation Museum of the Kubinka airbase and the Tank Museum in Kubinka. In 2020, the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was completed. Work is ongoing on the creation of the Museum of the Armed Forces. Since 2015, the park has hosted the International Military-Technical Forum "Army".
The park's area is 21 square miles (5.4 thousand hectares), and the shooting ranges are located on an area of 0.62 square miles (160 hectares).
