Russian Economy Minister Alexey Ulyukayev has been detained on Tuesday on suspicion of taking a $2 million bribe from the representatives of major oil company Rosneft.
“The circumstances of the crime are connected with Alexey Ulyukayev, who occupies a public post in the Russian Federation, receiving $2 million on November 14 for the positive assessment provided by the Economic Development Ministry that allowed Rosneft to complete the deal on purchasing the government’s 50 percent stake in Bashneft,” Russia’s Investigation Committee said in an official statement.
Ulyukyev was booked under part 6 of Article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers large robbery.
The minister would soon be charged. If found guilty, he could face imprisonment between eight to fifteen year years and maximum penalty of a fine ranging from 80 to 100 times the sum of the bribe.
In October, Russia’s largest Oil company Rosneft bought 50 percent stake of the regional oil company Bashnet for about $5.3 billion.
Alexey Ulyukayev was appointed as the economy minister in 2013.
He is the highest-ranking Russian official to be detained since 1991 August Coup.
