Former Russian Defense Minister To Be Questioned In Fraud Case

Then-Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov (left) with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the city of Engels in April, seven months before Serdyukov was sacked.

Former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has been called in for questioning over a fraud case involving state property.

Vladimir Markin, the spokesman for Russia's Investigative Committee, said Serdyukov has been summoned to appear for questioning on December 28.

Serdyukov was sacked by President Vladimir Putin after the scandal broke in early November.

He is not a suspect, but a former subordinate, Yevgeniya Vasilyeva, has been charged with fraud and embezzlement.

She is accused of involvement in deals in which Defense Ministry property was sold off to insiders at bwlow-market price, resulting in a suspected loss to the state of at least 3 billion rubles ($98 million).

There has been speculation concerning Serdyukov's relationship with Vasilyeva sonce media reports said he was present when Vasilyeva was arrested in October in a raid on her Moscow apartment.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax