Russian Economy Minister Ulyukayev Charged With $2m Bribe

Russia's Minister for Economy, Alexei Ulyukayev has been detained in connection with a bribery allegation. 

Russia's main anti-corruption body, the Investigative Committee said he received a payment of two million dollars.

Mr Ulyukayev is the highest-ranking Russian official held since the 1991 coup attempt in what was then the USSR. 

According to the Committee's spokeswoman, Svetlana Petrenko, "Ulyukayev was caught red-handed", receiving the money for giving a favourable assessment of the Rosneft deal. 

The Investigative Committee said the minister would soon be charged. 

If found guilty he could face a prison sentence of between eight and 15 years. 

Mr Ulyukayev, 60, was appointed economy minister in 2013.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS