MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. CEO of Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft Igor Sechin may testify in court in case of the former Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, who is accused of taking a bribe of $2 mln, a source familiar with the situation told TASS.

"Sechin has been vouched as a witness in court on this case. I think that he will be interested in asking questions to both parties of the process," the source said.

Russia’s Investigative Committee charged Ulyukaev under Part 6 of Article 290 of Russia’s Criminal Code ("Taking a bribe by a person holding public office in the RF, in a particularly large amount"). The former minister does not admit his guilt.

Detention of the federal minister, which was the first one in history of modern Russia, took place on November 14, 2016. According to the Investigative Committee, Ulyukayev was detained on receiving a bribe of $2 mln. The bribe was given for the ministry’s positive expertise in privatization of Bashneft oil company. That allowed Rosneft to buy out 50.08% of Bashneft shares from the state. Moreover, according to the investigation, the case concerns extortion coupled with threats to representatives of Rosneft.

On November 15, 2016, President Vladimir Putin dismissed Ulyukayev from his post in connection with the loss of confidence. The former minister is under house arrest, which has been extended until January 27, 2018.