In Moscow, the trial of the ex-head mayor Ulyukaev began

The Zamoskvoretsky court of Moscow began a hearing in the case of the former Minister of Economic Development of Russia Alexei Ulyukaev, who is accused of receiving a bribe of two million dollars, RIA Novosti reports.

According to the agency, Ulyukaev was taken to the court by car of the FSIN. On August 8, preliminary hearings are held, the case is conducted by Judge Larisa Semenova. The meeting is held closed without a press.

The ex-head of the mayor threatens up to 15 years in the colony. Before the hearing, he confirmed that he did not plead guilty. “No, of course,” he answered the question of journalists.

As reported, during the hearing on August 8, the court will have to decide on the extension of a preventive measure to the accused, with a list of witnesses that will need to be interrogated in the process. In addition, decisions on the process stated by the parties to the petitions will be made and set a date for the consideration of the case on the merits. They will also solve the issue of how the trial will take place - in open or closed mode.

The defense of the former minister on Tuesday will have the opportunity to demand to return the case to the prosecutor's office or transfer it to another court. If the judge does not satisfy these requirements, then the date of the beginning of the main hearings in the case will become known, on the basis of which the verdict will then be sentenced.

Ulyukaev held the post of head of the Ministry of Economic Development from June 2013 to November 2016. His case is the first in the history of modern Russia, when a federal minister is accused of a criminal offense

The detention of Ulyukaev occurred on November 14, 2016 at the Rosneft office. According to investigators, the minister was detained when receiving two million dollars for the issued Ministry of Economic Development a positive assessment, which allowed Rosneft to redeem 50.08% of Bashneft shares from the state. The next day, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Ulyukaev from the post of minister in connection with the loss of confidence.

The investigation in the case of Ulyukaev was completed at the end of May of this year, then the former official was charged with the final edition. In the framework of the case, the court, at the request of the investigation, arrested Ulyukaev’s property - 15 real estate objects and funds in the amount of at least 564 million rubles.

The former official is now under house arrest . He does not admit his guilt.