Medvedev: No Minister, Governor Has Immunity if Commits Corruption-Related Crime

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that the case of Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, accused of bribery, must be investigated thoroughly. He added that no minister or governor has immunity if a corruption-related crime has been committed.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Ulyukayev was officially charged with bribery on a very large scale. Ulyukayev demanded a bribe for a positive assessment of Russian energy company Rosneft's acquisition of Bashneft company's shares, according to the Russian Investigative Committee said.

"A thorough investigation of what happened should be conducted in accordance with the law," Medvedev said at a meeting of the ruling United Russia party's parliamentary faction.

"No representative of authority, including ministers, deputies, governors or all other state officials, has immunity if a corruption-related crime has been committed," he said.

"In other words, everyone, including top officials, may be brought to criminal account for such deeds. Of course, if their guilt has been established by a court verdict that has taken legal effect," Medvedev said.

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.