Russian economy minister charged over US$2m bribe

Moscow

RUSSIA charged Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev on Tuesday over suspicions that he pocketed a US$2 million pay-off during a deal involving state-controlled oil giant Rosneft.

Ulyukayev was the highest ranking official to be detained over suspected corruption since President Vladimir Putin took power in 2000 and vowed to clamp down on endemic graft.