Anatoly Serdyukov

A major fraud case involving Oboronservis was launched by the Central Investigation Committee in late October.that has dominated the headlines in Russia for the last two weeks. Multiple cases of real estate fraud were reportedly committed by a commercial company controlled by the Russian Defense Ministry.The Central Investigation Committee launched five criminal cases into the alleged embezzlement of around 3 billion rubles ($100 million US). The investigations revealed that Defense Ministry officials had invested heavily in real estate before selling it to affiliates for prices well below market value.During the probe, a team of investigators searched an apartment belonging to Defense Ministry official Yevgeniya Vasilyeva. Lifenews.ru reported that officers were met at the door by Serdyukov.The former Defense Minister could face questioning if he becomes implicated in the Oboronservis embezzlement case, Central Investigation Committee spokesperson Vladimir Markin told Interfax news agency.â€œIf there is a reason, Anatoly Serdyukov will naturally be questioned,â€ Markin said.Serdyukov was Russiaâ€™s first civilian defense minister, and enacted extensive and unpopular reforms within the military. The Defense Ministry has traditionally been staffed by career military officers, bureaucrats who allegedly held Serdyukov in extremely low regard.