Russian ex-economy minister gets 8 years in jail for graft

MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Moscow court on Friday found former Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev guilty of graft and sentenced him to eight years in prison with a fine of 130 million rubles (2.2 million U.S. dollars).

According to an online report from the courtroom by TASS news agency, the defendant extorted a bribe of 2 million U.S. dollars from Igor Sechin, head of Russia's top oil producer Rosneft, for approving the acquisition of medium-size Bashneft oil company.

Ulyukayev said he was the victim of a provocation staged by Sechin and former head of Rosneft's security service Oleg Feoktistov.

Sechin declined to appear in court despite repeated demands by the defense of Ulykayev.

Ulyukayev's lawyers said they would appeal the sentence.

The 61-year-old ex-minister was detained on Nov. 15 at the headquarters of Rosneft, which he visited at the invitation of Sechin and received a bag containing 2 million U.S. dollars.

Ulyukayev denied the accusations, saying he believed the bag contained an expensive wine collection.

On the next day after the detention, Putin relieved Ulukayev of his duties for "loss of confidence."

Ulyukayev remained under house arrest until Friday. Enditem