Russia ex-minister sent to prison

Yevgeny Adamov denied the charges against him

Former Russian minister Yevgeny Adamov has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for abusing his office and embezzling more than $30m.

On Tuesday, the former atomic energy minister was found guilty of setting up a criminal gang, illegally seizing property and acting against the state.

Adamov, who denied the charges, was arrested in Switzerland in 2005 after a US request, but extradited to Russia.

The US accuses him of embezzling $9m it donated to improve nuclear safety.

The US had also requested his extradition.

A Russian prosecutor had asked the court to sentence Adamov, who served as minister from 1998 to 2001, to nine years in jail.

"Due to his activities, through stealing financial securities and abusing his powers, the damage to Russia directly and through missed opportunities, comes to almost $1bn," prosecutor Viktor Antipov said after sentencing.