Rosneft CEO Sechin fails to come to Ulyukayev court hearing again

MOSCOW, Nov 27 (PRIME) – Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin did not attend a court hearing to testify against former Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev under a U.S. $2 million bribery case for the fourth time on Monday.

His lawyer Nikolai Klyon said in a letter, “On November 27, Sechin is on a business trip to Italy and cannot attend the court hearing.” According to the statement by Klyon, Sechin has already given a satisfactory testimony and has nothing to add.

Lawyer for Ulyukayev Daridzhan Kkveidze pled to return the case to the prosecutor’s office because Ulyukayev was not given a chance to testify against the main witness for prosecution, Sechin.

Ulyukayev, the first government official arrested on suspicions of corruption, allegedly received the $2 million bribe in November 2016 for a positive outlook on privatization of oil company Bashneft by Rosneft. Now, he can face 15 years in prison if his guilt is proved. He pleaded not guilty in August 2017 and said it was a setup organized by Sechin and the Federal Security Service.

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