INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov was arrested on fraud charges related to a sprawling military theme park outside Moscow, federal
contract workers into performing unpaid construction work at his private property in the Moscow region between 2021 and 2024
He is also accused of diverting building materials intended for the park to his personal home.Patriot Park, located in the town of Kubinka,
around 63 kilometers (39 miles) west of Moscow, is a military-themed park and exhibition center that features interactive displays of
weapons, equipment and live-firing ranges
It is also home to a grandiose Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the Russian Armed Forces.According to the Russian Investigative Committee,
construction was complete.Investigators charged Popov with colluding with Patriot Park director Vyacheslav Akhmedov and senior defense
ministry official Vladimir Shesterov
Both Akhmedov and Shesterov were arrested earlier this month on similar charges.Authorities said they uncovered properties valued at 500
general, served as deputy defense minister from November 2013 until June 2024
seen as part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the Russian military.The arrests began in April with the detention of former Deputy
Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who was regarded as an ally of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
