Kremlin: only court may close books on Ulyukayev's case

The Kremlin is not aware if there are any plans to downgrade charges against former Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, the Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The Kremlin knows nothing about this [possible downgrading of charges]," Peskov said, adding that "investigation is still ongoing."

"After the investigation finds that there are enough grounds to transfer the case to the court, only the court may close the books on this story," TASS cited him as saying.

Ulyukayev was detained on November 14, 2016, while allegedly receiving a $2 mln bribe in exchange for the Economic Development Ministry’s consent to give the go-ahead to the oil major Rosneft’s acquisition of a 50.08% stake in another oil company, Bashneft, and was put under house arrest.