Russian military construction executive hiding in Georgia arrested for alleged state fund embezzlement

The general director of the bankrupt Russian military construction firm Bamstroyput, Igor Tushkevich, has been arrested on charges of embezzling funds from state contracts, Russian authorities confirmed this week.

Tushkevich, who had reportedly been in hiding in Georgia, was detained upon his return to Russia in early February. Russian state news agency TASS, citing case materials, reported that he was apprehended at Moscow’s airport and was currently being held in a pre-trial detention centre.

Tushkevich claimed he had been in Georgia for medical treatment and was unaware of any criminal proceedings against him. His lawyer said he was cooperating with investigators and had begun giving testimony.

The businessman’s son, also named Igor Tushkevich, has been arrested in connection with the case and remains in pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, Anton Abdurakhmanov, the chairman of Bamstroyput’s board of directors, has been sentenced to prison in absentia and is now on Russia’s wanted list.

Bamstroyput, established in 1971, served as a subcontractor for the Military Construction Company (VSK) under the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Bamstroyput was once a key player in Russia’s defense infrastructure, working on state projects through VSK. However, financial difficulties led to its bankruptcy, and the firm has since been at the centre of a fraud investigation.

Russian authorities have not disclosed the exact amount allegedly embezzled.