Former Russian General Ivan Popov Arrested on Fraud Charges

A Russian military court denied the release of Ivan Popov, a former commander of Russia's 58th army, who was arrested on suspicion of fraud. He is among five military officials detained in a month for allegedly stealing metal products worth 130 million roubles intended for Ukrainian frontline fortifications.

A Russian military court on Monday refused to release Ivan Popov, the former commander of Russia's 58th army arrested on suspicion of fraud, turning down a request to put him under house arrest, the TASS state news agency reported.

One of five Russian military or defence officials detained in the space of a month, Major General Popov was arrested last week for allegedly stealing more than 130 million roubles ($1.44 million) of metal products intended for building fortifications along the Ukrainian frontline.