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Russian court finds ex-minister Ulyukayev guilty of bribery Russian ex-minister Ulyukayev gets eight years for bribery
(about 1 hour later)
A Moscow court has found Russia's former Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev guilty of bribery. A Moscow court has sentenced Russia's former Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev to eight years in a labour camp for bribery.
He is the first minister to stand trial in Russia's recent history. He was also fined 130m roubles ($2.2m; £1.6m). He is the first minister to stand trial in Russia's recent history.
Ulyukayev was arrested in 2016, accused of trying to extort $2m (£1.5m) from state oil firm Rosneft to green light its purchase of another oil firm. Ulyukayev was arrested in 2016, accused of trying to extort $2m from state oil firm Rosneft to approve its purchase of another oil firm.
The accusation was made by Rosneft boss Igor Sechin, who is also one of President Vladimir Putin's closest aides. He was accused by the Rosneft boss, who is close to President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Sechin was asked to testify but did not turn up. Rosneft boss Igor Sechin was asked to testify but did not turn up.
Ulyukayev had denied the charges and alleged that he was framed. Ulyukayev had denied the charges and alleged he was framed.
The verdict read out by the judge said Ulyukayev had "made use of his position in order to demand from Rosneft chief Sechin a bribe, in exchange for giving approval" for the purchase of state-owned Bashneft.The verdict read out by the judge said Ulyukayev had "made use of his position in order to demand from Rosneft chief Sechin a bribe, in exchange for giving approval" for the purchase of state-owned Bashneft.
"At the same time he told Sechin he would in future obstruct the company's activities if it rebuffed him," the verdict said. "At the same time he told Sechin he would in future obstruct the company's activities if it rebuffed him," the verdict added.
Oleg Feoktistov, a former secret service officer who worked for Mr Sechin, testified that the bribery took place on the sidelines of a Brics forum in Goa, India. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa form the Brics group. Oleg Feoktistov, a former secret service officer who worked for Mr Sechin, testified that the bribery had taken place on the sidelines of a Brics forum in Goa, India. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa form the Brics group.
"Using two fingers he indicated the sum he wanted to receive, which was equivalent to two million dollars," Mr Feoktistov said, citing what Mr Sechin had told him."Using two fingers he indicated the sum he wanted to receive, which was equivalent to two million dollars," Mr Feoktistov said, citing what Mr Sechin had told him.
Kremlin tensionsKremlin tensions
Before being prosecuted, Ulyukayev was an influential liberal in the Russian elite, but not part of President Putin's inner circle. Before being prosecuted, Ulyukayev was an influential liberal in the Russian elite but not part of President Putin's inner circle.
Mr Sechin's close ties to Mr Putin go back to the Soviet era, when they were both KGB secret service officers.Mr Sechin's close ties to Mr Putin go back to the Soviet era, when they were both KGB secret service officers.
BBC Russian reports that the case has highlighted rivalries at the apex of Russian politics. The case has highlighted rivalries at the apex of Russian politics, BBC Russian reports.
Mr Sechin's version of events prevailed - even though he did not testify - and inconsistencies have emerged in the case against Ulyukayev, BBC Russian reporter Sergei Goryashko says. Mr Sechin's version of events prevailed and inconsistencies have emerged in the case against Ulyukayev, BBC Russian reporter Sergei Goryashko says.
Ulyukayev insisted he was innocent, saying he had no idea the bag given to him by Mr Sechin contained money.Ulyukayev insisted he was innocent, saying he had no idea the bag given to him by Mr Sechin contained money.
He said he thought it was expensive wine which, allegedly, Mr Sechin often presents to business partners along with speciality sausages, as gifts.He said he thought it was expensive wine which, allegedly, Mr Sechin often presents to business partners along with speciality sausages, as gifts.