MOSCOW, April 2 - RAPSI. Investigators plan to question former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as a witness in the case of the illegal supply of torpedo components from Kazakhstan, Kommersant newspaper writes.

In early March, a case was opened against Vladimir Fitsner, CEO of the Bars research and production association which purchased the components. Investigators believe Bars did not have the right license required, but managed to sign the supply contracts thanks to the mediation of Serdyukov's adviser Gennady Suchkov.

According to Kommersant, Bars bought the components in Kazakhstan for 9.5 million rubles ($305,370) and resold them to Remvooruzhenie, an Oboronservice asset, for 25 million rubles ($803,600).

Bars also signed an agreement for the supply of 190 sets of spare parts worth over 120 million rubles (around $4 million), Kommersant writes.

The newspaper reports that Fitsner was recently detained, but released on pledge not to leave town.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was dismissed amid a loud corruption scandal in November 2012 to ensure impartiality in the criminal investigations. He has so far been summoned twice for questioning as a witness in embezzlement cases linked to Oboronservice.

Oboronservice comprises companies that involved in armaments and military vehicle repair and maintenance, construction materials and food production, power facilities operation, cartography and printing goods production, and housing management services for military towns.