Russia’s Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev continues to be detained in connection with the alleged bribe.
His ministry had given an optimistic evaluation that caused the oil giant Rosneft getting a 50% position Bashneft, in another oil company.
He could be the best-ranking Russian official in what was then the USSR to be detained.
“Ulyukayev was detained at night, immediately after interrogation,” an Investigative Committee official said on Tuesday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Tass news agency that “this is a serious accusation”.
“In any case, only a court is able to decide anything,” he was quoted as saying.
