Interfax: after the transfer of Bashneft to the state, the severity of the charges against Yevtushenkov decreased

The head of AFK Sistema, Vladimir Yevtushenkov, remains a defendant in the criminal case, despite Vladimir Putin’s statement that the billionaire’s involvement in the legalization of funds for the purchase of the company has not been proven.

“Taking into account the decision of the arbitration court to transfer Bashneft into state ownership, the severity of the act charged against him has decreased,” an Interfax source explained the change in the preventive measure.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin said during the “Direct Line” that the charges against Yevtushenkov regarding money laundering were dropped.

The businessman's release from house arrest became known on Wednesday evening.

The investigation has charged Yevtushenkov with money laundering in the case of the purchase of Bashneft by AFK Sistema structures. The investigation believes that the shares were purchased in 2009 at a deliberately low price - with a “discount” of $500 million. Sistema called both the accusations against Yevtushenkov and the suspicions of underestimating the price unfounded.

Vladimir Yevtushenkov was placed under house arrest on September 16; the court made this decision at the request of the investigation, which argued that otherwise the accused might escape. According to investigators, several witnesses have already testified against Yevtushenkov and indicated his involvement in the legalization of property illegally obtained as a result of the theft of Bashneft shares. Yevtushenkov himself does not admit his guilt.