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Russia's Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev detained over 'bribe' | Russia's Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev detained over 'bribe' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Russia's Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev has been detained in connection with an alleged bribe. | Russia's Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev has been detained in connection with an alleged bribe. |
Russia's main anti-corruption body, the Investigative Committee, said Mr Ulyukayev received a payment of $2m. | Russia's main anti-corruption body, the Investigative Committee, said Mr Ulyukayev received a payment of $2m. |
His ministry had given a positive assessment that led to the oil giant Rosneft acquiring a 50% stake in another oil company, Bashneft. | His ministry had given a positive assessment that led to the oil giant Rosneft acquiring a 50% stake in another oil company, Bashneft. |
He is the highest-ranking Russian official to be detained since the 1991 coup attempt in what was then the USSR. | He is the highest-ranking Russian official to be detained since the 1991 coup attempt in what was then the USSR. |
"This is about extortion of a bribe from Rosneft representatives accompanied by threats," Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, told RIA Novosti news agency. | "This is about extortion of a bribe from Rosneft representatives accompanied by threats," Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, told RIA Novosti news agency. |
"Ulyukayev was caught red-handed as he received a bribe," she said. | "Ulyukayev was caught red-handed as he received a bribe," she said. |
The Investigative Committee said the minister would soon be charged. | The Investigative Committee said the minister would soon be charged. |
He could face a prison sentence of between eight and 15 years, if found guilty. | He could face a prison sentence of between eight and 15 years, if found guilty. |
Rosneft, which is controlled by the Russian government, bought 50% of Bashneft for 330bn roubles ($5bn) in October. | |
A Rosneft spokesperson told the Tass news agency it acquired the Bashneft stake "in accordance with Russian law on the basis of the best commercial offer made to the operating bank". | A Rosneft spokesperson told the Tass news agency it acquired the Bashneft stake "in accordance with Russian law on the basis of the best commercial offer made to the operating bank". |
Mr Ulyukayev was appointed economy minister in 2013; prior to that, he had been deputy chairman of Russia's central bank for a decade. | Mr Ulyukayev was appointed economy minister in 2013; prior to that, he had been deputy chairman of Russia's central bank for a decade. |