Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev arrested! And arrested, as reported in the Investigation Committee, for a banal bribe. Although the word "banal" here is not very suitable. Large, "not banal" people take and bribes are not "banal."
As the representative of the RF IC, Svetlana Petrenko, told TASS, the arrest is related to the acquisition of Rosneft, PJSC, ANK Bashneft’s state package.
"Circumstances of the crime are connected with the acquisition of state-owned Alexei Ulyukaevym 14 in November by $ 2 million for the positive assessment issued by the Ministry of Economic Development, which allowed Rosneft to complete the acquisition of the state stake in PJSC ANK Bashneft in the amount of 50%."
"Currently, the minister has been detained. In the near future, the investigation is planning to charge Alexey Ulyukayev and petition for the choice of a preventive measure."
The fact that the "untouchables" exist, they say even the old woman on the benches. The higher the status of such a person, the more difficult it is for operatives to approach him. The "steeper the roof" and the greater the pressure on the investigating authorities. Alexey Ulyukayev was one of such “celestials”. It was hard to believe that something would happen that happened.
“This is about extortion of a bribe, involving threats to representatives of Rosneft. Ulyukayev was detained red-handed while receiving money,” said Petrenko.
"A criminal case was instituted under the ch. 6 Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - receiving a bribe on a particularly large scale."
An official of this level could not be in the "development" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is not a reproach to our police officers and staff of the Investigative Committee. Alas, this is a common statement of fact. Therefore, the operation to develop and detain the minister was conducted by FSB officers. It was the FSB that conducted the whole complex of events. And it is the FSB that is credited with this arrest.
Today, the Ulyukaev case is handled by the General Directorate for Investigating Particularly Important Cases of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. If the fact of a bribe is proved, and now it is clear that the arrest warrant for an official of this level was obtained only with “reinforced concrete” evidence, if the case is classified according to the article on which it was initiated, Ulukaev faces the real term from 8 to 15 years and quite serious fines.
We often talk and write about the rule of law, the inevitability of punishment, the transparency of transactions in business. Beautiful and correct words that go like water in the sand. Like all the pros. From the stands and TV screens, everyone, precisely everyone, actively supports this axiom. Moreover, they "demand" an even more radical approach to this issue. "Let's be like in China!"
And it happens day after day, month after month, year after year. During the next "exacerbation" of the campaign they catch and punish someone. Take off the "mired in corruption" of the investigative bodies. Work is in full swing! Bravura reports of chiefs of different levels sound. The country is "cleared" from the 90's heritage.
And then the man goes out. A person sees cars as "poor, muzzled by work" officials. A person sees their "shacks" in elite settlements. True, he sees from behind the fence. Usually in such villages the entrance is very limited. The person is talking to an individual entrepreneur who was “asked” to get out by local officials who “planned” to build a regular shopping mall “for the population” at this place.
Why am I doing this? Yes, just remembered the background of this arrest. It was not so long ago, because many readers remember it.
October 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the VTB Investment Forum “Russia Calling!”, Expressed surprise at the final government decision. The result was an interesting situation. When one state company buys another state company. And all this is happening in the framework of the privatization of state assets. Do we privatize ourselves?
But the most interesting thing is that the company-buyer is also included in the program! And an interesting solitaire. Rosneft buys 329,69% of Bashneft’s shares for 50,08 billion rubles and then ... privatizes itself. Imagine what an increase in the value of its own shares was planned by Rosneft!
What, our economists have not seen this? Probably seen. Moreover, in the press flashed reports of disputes with Ulyukaev, Deputy Prime Minister Dvorkovich and presidential aide Belousov. In defense of the position of the Minister of Economic Development, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov spoke. So what?
It took Putin’s personal “surprise” with this deal so that the specialists “began to work.” And if Putin was not surprised? If in a multitude of state affairs did not notice a single, single transaction? If, finally, VTB had not organized an investment forum?
But what happened happened. Minister arrested. Maybe even it will be a signal "untouchable"? The arrests of governors and city mayors did not make a serious impression on the Olympus. Maybe the appetites of those who are "at the trough" will be reduced after this arrest?
And the second question. Maybe we should do something to eliminate the dependence of the special services on local officials? From all these ministers at the regional and federal level? Maybe you should “run a pike” in the Russian “pond”? So that the crucians understand what they can and cannot do! More precisely, to understand something, they understand, that's just why they do not care?
Putin's surprise is expensive. Especially if Ulyukaev really sits down (you know, there are options, we know). It is unfortunate that Putin cannot be surprised every day. And it would be nice.