MOSCOW - Russian authorities said Tuesday they have charged Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev with bribe-taking after he was detained on suspicion of taking a two-million-dollar payoff over a deal involving state oil giant Rosneft. Investigators accused Ulyukayev of "threatening, using his ministerial powers, to create obstacles to the company's activities in the future." The Investigative Committee also reiterated that the acquisition of the Bashneft shares was not the subject of the criminal investigation. The large-scale bribe-taking charge could see him face a jail term of between eight and 15 years. Ulyukayev had originally opposed the sale but later endorsed it after President Vladimir Putin said it could help fill state coffers.

Source: Bangkok Post November 15, 2016 11:46 UTC