MOSCOW, December 21. /TASS/. Moscow's Preobrazhensky district court has sentenced former Russian Minister for Open Government Affairs, Mikhail Abyzov, accused of setting up a criminal network, illegal business dealings and money laundering, to 12 years in prison, TASS reports from the courtroom.

A fine to the tune of 80 million rubles ($866,270) was slapped on the ex-minister as an additional punishment.

"To recognize Abyzov as guilty. Adding the sentences together and for the totality of the crimes committed, to finally award a sentence of 12 years of imprisonment to be served in a medium-security prison. As an additional punishment, a fine of 80 million rubles is assigned," the verdict reads.

The defense of all defendants in the case is expected to appeal the guilty verdict. "After studying the verdict and talking to the defendants in the case, a decision to appeal or not will ultimately be made," lawyer Artur Bolshakov told TASS.