MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia's Investigative Committee said early on Tuesday that Ulyukayev was caught in the act when taking a $2 million bribe for a positive appraisal that allowed Russian energy company Rosneft to buy the state's shares of Bashneft oil company.
"This is strange and surprising news for us and a serious accusation that requires a thorough consideration," Lashkina said.
Ulyukayev has been charged with taking an especially large bribe and extortion, Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said earlier Tuesday.
Petrenko stressed that the Bashneft deal is legal and undisputed, noting that the agreement is not under investigation.
