A TOP Russian military official arrested on suspicion of corruption was placed in pre-trial detention today after appearing before a Moscow court.

Timur Ivanov, one of 12 deputy defence ministers, was arrested  on Tuesday evening, Russia’s Investigative Committee said, specifying that he is suspected of taking an especially large bribe — a criminal offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Investigators said today that Mr Ivanov had conspired with third parties to receive the bribe in the form of unspecified property services “during contracting and subcontracting work for the needs of the Ministry of Defence.”