“Strange accusation” that officials and politicians about the case speaker
The investigative Committee announced the arrest of the Minister of economic development of Russia Alexei Ulyukayev and initiate criminal proceedings against him. The first reaction of the Russian politicians and businessmen in the review of RBC.
Dmitry Peskov, press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation:
The President, of course, reported. He was aware of. He was reported, in fact, at the beginning of rapid development. That is, he had all the information. But, I repeat, as I said, these are very serious allegations. And the decision to make regarding the viability of these allegations can only court” (“RIA Novosti”).
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the state Duma:
“All are equal before law” (“Interfax”).
Sergey Shvetsov, first Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank:
“I have great respect for Alexei Valentinovich. His last one would suspect of something like that. What is written in the press, seems to be absurd. Now nothing is clear” (“RIA Novosti”).
Alexander tsybulskiy, Deputy Minister of economic development:
“For me, this news about the detention of the speaker, are absolutely amazing and incomprehensible” (“Газета.Ru”).
Alexander Shokhin, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and entrepreneurs:
“If Alexei Ulyukayev blamed the fact that he knocked an old lady, when he went to “G-wagon” with the increased speed on the night Moscow, and it would look believable. No one, neither the experts nor officials, there was no question that the price of “Bashneft” in 329 billion rubles — market price. Therefore, for the market valuation to take a bribe — a strange accusation” (“Газета.Ru”).
Anatoly Aksakov, the head of the Duma Committee on financial market:
“I’m surprised. I hope that he will understand. Serious charge. I hope that everything will be impartial. The Committee will work. Life goes on, we need to make laws” (“RIA Novosti”).
Igor Lebedev, Deputy speaker of the state Duma from LDPR:
“Can not but rejoice that in Russia has begun, in my opinion, the real fight against corruption. We see that forbidding officials to the investigating authorities is no longer arrested mayors, governors now members of the government” (“RIA Novosti”).
Alexander Brechalov, co-Chairman of the Central headquarters of the popular front, Secretary of the Public chamber:
“The situation is nothing to comment. Let’s wait for the results of the investigation and perhaps trial. In Russia there is a presumption of innocence, which does not allow to call a person guilty before the court decision. Sadly, the continuing episodes of corruption charges” (TASS).
Boris Titov, the business Ombudsman:
“In our eyes does not correlate the speaker with the corrupt and bribe-taker. His views were more focused on the development of the economy, we tied some hope. However, if the court and the investigation will prove his guilt, it is impossible to forgive such things” (“RIA Novosti”).
Ernest Valeev, the first Deputy Chairman of the Duma Committee for security and combating corruption, former Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation:
“It is further proof that the will of the government to tackle corruption in practice. Not by chance only yesterday was hotly debated in the criminal case in Kemerovo today — another fact. On a system basis were prosecuted for various officials, if not daily, at least monthly, and we are all the time trying to look for some kind of background, but not the implementation of policies on combating corruption” (TASS).
Olga Timofeeva, Chairperson of the Duma Committee on ecology and conservation:
“I think that their point of view will the court, but when you see too many large people come across a bit of getting scared, I want us to really change the situation for the better, because it already has the reverse effect, even if such people could…” (“Interfax”).
Pavel Krasheninnikov, head of the Duma Committee on state construction and legislation:
“This is what amount? It is what is in the suitcase should be or what? He was dragging him or her on the cart handed? Don’t know? I don’t know” (“Interfax”).
Yaroslav Nilov, head of the Duma Committee for labor and social policy:
“What was declared the fight against corruption regardless of their position and personality, and this detention is a consequence of the implementation of this program. I think that when the measure will be more information and perhaps even revealed some details that are an integral part of the evidence base” (“Interfax”).
Yevgeny Yelin, Deputy head of the Ministry of economic development:
“Of course, nobody expected [the detention of the speaker]. The organization still works” (RNS).
Sergey Donskoy, Minister of natural resources and ecology of Russia:
“Most unpleasant, to put it mildly” (RIA Novosti)
Peter Tolstoy, the Vice-speaker of the state Duma:
“I wouldn’t want to judge, but to be honest, I am very sorry that the officials of this level find themselves in such situations. This suggests that the country’s leadership and the Prime Minister and the President did acknowledge their commitment to fighting corruption” (Moscow IA)
Mikhail Emelyanov, first Deputy head of the Duma Committee on state construction and legislation:
“This makes the replacement of the Cabinet of Ministers, at least, its financial-economic bloc. The following can be Ministers, professes liberal views. But, maybe, it will happen not as tough as it was in the case of the speaker, but that further changes in the Cabinet will obviously” (RIA Novosti)
Sergei Belyakov, a former Deputy Minister of economic development:
“I do not admit on the basis of their own experience with Alexei Ulyukaev, as I know him, that he could be in the form of an ultimatum to extort a bribe from employees of “Rosneft”. But I can’t comment on the information of SK, the facts of the case, which is instituted, I don’t know. But it was strange for me” (Rain)
Sergey Tsyplyaev, President of Foundation “Republic”:
“I have a feeling that in the country between interested people to develop
a very hard fight for all the pieces of “Rosneft”. Periodically, this fight will be held under the carpet, and from there, make certain corpses. The speaker — the first victim of this struggle” (RBC-TV).