Ulyukayev's phone tapped since summer

The Federal Security Service (FSB) had been tapping the Russian Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev's phone since early summer this year, Russia’s Investigative Committee's spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said.

According to her, there were threats during the discussion of Bashneft's privatization from Ulyukayev's part.

Ulyukayev was detained today on suspicion of taking a $2 mln bribe, that allowed Rosneft to complete the deal on purchasing the government's 50% stake in Bashneft.