Russia's military prosecutor on Wednesday announced a probe into high-level naval officers and businessmen suspected of supplying anti-submarine rockets to China illegally, Interfax reported.
The prosecutor, Sergei Fridinsky, said the suspects had transferred the 30 rockets as well as 200 aviation bombs to the ex-Soviet state of Tajikistan with the intention of selling them on to China for 18 million dollars (14 million euros).
"We have provided material for the launching of a criminal case against naval officers and several businessmen" in relation to the illegal supply, he told a prosecutors' meeting.
A source close to the enquiry said the probe concerned high-level officers and that 1.6 million dollars (1.2 million euros) had left state coffers in the course of the weapons transfer.
"Currently the possible participation in this affair of several naval officers including vice- and rear-admirals is being checked," the source said.
China has long been a major client for Russian arms but the trade has become sensitive due to Russian concerns about piracy of Russian technology by the Chinese side as Beijing develops a home-grown weapons complex.
Russia maintains a military presence in Tajikistan, which borders western China.
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