This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42365041

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Russian ex-minister Ulyukayev gets eight years for bribery Russian ex-minister Ulyukayev gets eight years for bribery
(35 minutes later)
A Moscow court has sentenced Russia's former Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev to eight years in a labour camp for bribery. A Moscow court has sentenced Russia's former Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev to eight years in a harsh-regime labour camp for bribery.
He was also fined 130m roubles ($2.2m; £1.6m). 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 from state oil firm Rosneft to approve its purchase of another oil firm. Ulyukayev, 61, was arrested in 2016, accused of trying to extort $2m from state oil firm Rosneft to approve its purchase of another oil firm.
He was accused by the Rosneft boss, who is close to President Vladimir Putin.He was accused by the Rosneft boss, who is close to President Vladimir Putin.
Rosneft boss Igor 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 he was framed. It was a security service sting operation involving Mr Sechin last November that put Mr Ulyukayev in the dock.
Ulyukayev 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 added."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 had taken 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.
On Thursday Mr Putin shrugged off Mr Sechin's failure to testify in court.
The president said the court had enough materials for the case, including information that Mr Sechin had provided.
The case has highlighted rivalries at the apex of Russian politics, BBC Russian reports.The case has highlighted rivalries at the apex of Russian politics, BBC Russian reports.
Mr Sechin's version of events prevailed 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 a 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.
According to former Kremlin public relations manager Gleb Pavlovsky, the case showed that "anyone with money can put anybody in jail" in today's Russia.