MOSCOW: Russia’s Investigative Committee has said that Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev was detained on suspicion of taking a $2 mln bribe, that allowed Rosneft to complete the deal on purchasing the government’s 50% stake in Bashneft.
The Russian oil giant Rosneft spokesman told TASS the company sees “no risks for the deal, the deal was absolutely correct.””The stake in Bashneft was purchased in accordance with Russian legislature on the basis of best commercial offer made to the operator bank,” a representative of Rosneft said. The IC spokesperson confirmed that “Rosneft’s purchase of stake in Bashneft was completed on legal grounds.”
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is aware of the detention, the cabinet press service said, adding that the prime minister had discussed the matter with president Vladimir Putin and spoken out in favor of a thorough investigation. “The prime minister is aware of Ulyukayev’s detention,” the press service said. “The prime minister has discussed what happened with the Russian president.” “The prime minister believes a thorough investigation of this case needs to be conducted,” the press service stressed.
