UPDATE - Russian economy minister detained over bribe

UPDATES WITH KREMLIN SPOKESMAN’S PRESS CONFERENCE

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW (AA) - Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev was detained Tuesday for allegedly receiving a $2 million bribe, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to a statement issued by the committee, “The investigation was opened based on the results of operations carried out by the Federal Security Service,” suggesting that Ulyukayev solicited the bribe.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday the bribe case against Ulyukayev would not adversely affect investments in Russia.

The spokesman termed the move as a positive development for his country’s image as a place for safe investments.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appointed Deputy Economy Minister Yevgeny Yelin as the acting economy minister after Ulyukayev's arrest, the spokesman said.

According to investigators, Ulyukayev took $2 million on Monday in exchange for the Economic Development Ministry giving a positive assessment of the state-owned oil company Rosneft’s deal to buy the government’s controlling 50 percent stake of Bashneft oil company, the committee's statement said.

“Investigators are going to press charges soon and request a court to place Ulyukayev in custody pending trial,” the statement added.

Ulyukaev is the first senior Russian official to be detained while in office since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and faces up to 15 years in prison on fraud charges.