Former Russian General Accused of $1.44 Million Fraud Seeks House Arrest

Russia's Investigative Committee requests house arrest for ex-commander Major General Ivan Popov, two days post-arrest on fraud suspicion. Accused of stealing over $1.44 million in metal products for Ukraine fortifications, Popov is one of four senior officials detained since April for corruption.

Russia's Investigative Committee on Thursday requested that the former commander of Russia's 58th Army, Major General Ivan Popov, be transferred to house arrest, two days after he was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

In a statement, the Investigative Committee said that Popov, who is one of four senior military officials to be detained on corruption charges since April, was suspected of involvement in the theft of more than 130 million roubles ($1.44 million) of metal products intended for building fortifications along the Ukrainian frontline.

Last year, Popov said he had been dismissed after telling the military leadership the truth about the then dire situation for Russia on the frontlines in Ukraine. Russia has since regained the initiative, advancing gradually since February in the east of the country. ($1 = 90.1370 roubles) (Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)