Paroled ex-minister Ulyukayev to be released on May 12 - Russian court

TVER. May 11 (Interfax) - The Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Penitentiary Service did not appeal the decision on former Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev's release on parole, and he is supposed to leave the penitentiary on May 12, the press service for the Moskovsky District Court of Tver told Interfax.

"Today was the last day when the parties could appeal the ruling on Ulyukayev's parole. No appeals were submitted. Therefore, the court ruling will enter into effect on May 12, and Ulyukayev is to be released immediately," a court spokesperson said.

On April 27, the Moskovsky District Court of Tver granted a motion of Ulyukayev's lawyer seeking his release on parole.

Ulyukayev became the first federal minister detained in Russia's recent history. The day after his detention, which took place on November 14, 2016, Ulyukayev was placed under house arrest in his apartment on Minskaya Street in Moscow and was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin from his ministerial post due to loss of trust.

On December 15, 2017, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow found Ulyukayev guilty of taking a two-million-dollar bribe and sentenced him to eight years in a high-security penitentiary. According to the sentence, the former minister was stripped of the right to hold public office and positions in state corporations for the same period. The ex-minister was also ordered to pay a fine of more than 130 million rubles, which he paid in full in 2018.

Ulyukayev pleaded not guilty.

He has been serving his sentence in penitentiary No. 1 outside Tver.