Russia’s Minister of Economy Charged with Taking $2mn Bribe

Local Editor

Russian Economy Minister Aleksey Ulyukayev has been officially accused of taking bribes and extortion on a large scale, the Russian Investigative Committee stated.

Ulyukayev reportedly demanded a bribe for granting a positive conclusion and assessment of transaction on the acquisition of Bashneft by fellow oil company Rosneft.

According to the Investigative Committee, Ulyukayev threatened he would use the leverage provided by his ministerial post to hinder Rosneft's operations.

Rosneft representatives reported Ulyukayev's alleged actions to the committee.

"Thanks to the Rosneft representatives' timely address to law enforcement authorities with a statement about the economy minister's illegal actions, he was caught red-handed on November 14 this year, while receiving a bribe of US$2 million," Svetlana Petrenko, deputy head of the Investigative Committee, said in a statement.

The Investigative Court asked the court to impose a measure of restraint for Ulyukayev.

Ulyukayev is under investigation for allegedly receiving $2 million for a positive appraisal that allowed Russian energy company Rosneft to buy the state's shares of Bashneft Oil Company, the Russian Investigative Committee said earlier.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team