A Moscow court sent former Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov to a two-month pre-trial detention center on April 16 in connection with a fraud case, the press service of Moscow courts reported.

Smirnov and his deputy Alexei Dedov are accused of embezzling over a billion rubles ($12 million) from the budget allocated to the Kursk Oblast Development Corporation for the construction of fortifications on the border with Ukraine.

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[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Honestly wish he hadn't been caught. The more money fraudulently embezzled away from russia, the less money they have working for them.

Also, if WE know that this region is poorly defended, then Ukraine intel has likely known for months.

[–] MrMakabar@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

This is not about corruption. Everybody knows Russian officals are corrupt, including the Russians themself. It is part of the pearks. The reason they trial him, is to get rid of him for whatever reason.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Yeah, but I mean, as much as I hate Russian oligarchs, I'd much rather see a bunch of new dachas on the black sea than improved defenses along the border.

They might simply have put him on trial for the crime of being caught. Corruption is fine, being seen doing corruption is not.

[–] MrMakabar@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I get that, but that is also sort of the point. The next guy is also going to move some money from military projects into his own pocket. It will just be a different guy.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

Oh yeah, but the new guy will make sure to grease the wheels a bit more. The squeeze wheels gets defenestrated.