Russian general arrested on corruption charges

Viktor Strigunov is suspected of embezzling government funds and receiving bribes

The first deputy chief of the Russian national guard (Rosgvardiya) between 2020 and 2023, Colonel General Viktor Strigunov, has been detained on suspicion of embezzlement and corruption.

In a statement on Monday, Russia’s Investigative Committee said that a criminal case had been launched as a result of a joint investigation by the Committee, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Rosgvardiya’s internal security department.

One of the suspected criminal episodes dates back to the time when Strigunov served with Russia’s Interior Ministry, before the formation of Rosgvardiya in 2016.

According to investigators, in 2014 the former official oversaw a building contract for a training center in Kemerovo Region. While Strigunov was supposedly well aware of severe limitations that prevented the normal operation of the would-be facility, he ordered his subordinates to proceed with the construction work, the Committee claimed.

“As a result, the terms of the contract were not fulfilled [and] the training center was not put into operation, which resulted in a loss of more than 2 billion rubles ($25 million) to the state,” the Investigative Committee stated.

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Strigunov is also suspected of receiving numerous bribes from construction companies between 2012 and 2014, totaling over 66 million rubles ($840,000). In exchange for the alleged kickbacks, the former official is accused of helping businesses win lucrative government contracts.

If found guilty, he reportedly faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a hefty fine.

Last Tuesday, the Moscow City Court sentenced a former deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, to 13 years in a penal colony and a massive fine for embezzling state funds.

A former subordinate of his was also found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine.

Several more high-ranking military officials have been arrested on corruption charges following a major reshuffle at Russia’s Defense Ministry last year.