Russian former deputy minister of defense, General Pavel Popov, has received additional charges as part of the criminal investigation into embezzlement during the development of the "Patriot" park, according to a statement by the Investigative Committee of Russia, EDnews reports, citing the local press.

The statement notes the transfer to court of cases against the alleged accomplices of the ex-deputy minister — the director of the "Patriot" park, Vyacheslav Akhmedov, and the deputy head of the main department of innovative development of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Vladimir Shesterov. Both admitted guilt to fraud and forgery of official documents during the investigation.

In addition to large-scale fraud (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code; up to ten years imprisonment), Popov is also charged with: forgery of official documents (Part 2 of Article 292 of the Criminal Code; up to four years imprisonment); abuse of official powers (paragraphs "v", "e" of Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code; up to ten years imprisonment); illegal arms trafficking (Part 1 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code; from three to five years imprisonment).

The investigation regarding the former deputy minister continues, the Investigative Committee added.

According to the investigation, in 2022-2024, Popov, Shesterov, and Akhmedov stole more than 25 million rubles ($319,689) by deliberately entering false information about completed construction work in the "Patriot" park into documentation.