MOSCOW, December 15 (RAPSI) – Assets belonging to the former economy minister of Russia Alexey Ulyukayev sentenced on Friday to 8 years in high security prison for bribery will remain seized until he pays a 130-million-ruble fine (about $ 2.2 million), the spokesperson of Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky District Court Emilia Khil has told RAPSI.

The court earlier ordered the seizure of more than 564 million rubles ($9.5 million) and 15 property items owned by Ulyukayev.

On Friday, the court held that Ulyukayev’s involvement in the bribery was proven by witnesses’ testimony and other examined evidence. His words about innocence were regarded as attempt to evade criminal liability.

Ulyukayev was arrested on November 14, 2016, when leaving the office of Rosneft oil company. The Federal Security Service’s (FSB) officers found a bag holding $2 million in cash in his official car.

Ulyukayev was charged with extortion a grand bribe. According to the Investigative Committee, he threatened to create obtrusions for Rosneft with the use of his position. On November 15, 2016, he was put under house arrest. Later in the evening, President Vladimir Putin relieved Ulyukayev of his post because of loss of trust.

Ex-minister stated that the case was fabricated. The defendant noted that there was a provocation, orchestrated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and that there was no sound evidence in the case, aside from testimony provided by Sechin.

Trial of Ulyukayev began in mid-August. The court questioned 15 witnesses including the Economy Ministry officials, Ulyukayev’s driver, Rosneft employees, journalists and FSB officers.

Sechin was summoned for interrogation four times but he failed to appear in court. A judge refused to read out his testimony given during pre-trial investigation.