News

The Head Office of the Investigative Committee has charged today Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev with taking a bribe by a person occupying a governmental position with extortion and on a very large scale under part 6 of Article 290 of the RF Penal Code.

According to investigators Ulyukayev illegally demanded from a representative of state-owned oil company Rosneft money for legally giving a favorable assessment of a deal to buy a government’s controlling stake of another oil company, Bashneft. Otherwise, he threatened to create obstacles for Rosneft’s operations.

Representatives of Rosneft reported the crime to the police and the Minister was caught red handed on 14 November, receiving 2 million US dollars.

No-one is questioning the legality of the deal and it is not the object for investigation.

A court has ruled to place Ulyukayev under house arrest pending trial.

The investigation is ongoing.

Acting Head of Media Relations                                                                                                         S.L. Petrenko