Russian Deputy Energy Minister Arrested, Denies Guilt

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Tikhonov has been arrested, rejecting the charges against him, TASS reports.

Tikhonov was detained on September 8 and is accused of committing large-scale fraud. Sources indicate that a preventive measure against him will be decided today or tomorrow.

He is alleged to have been involved in fraudulent activities during the implementation of the state program “Energy Efficiency and Development of Energy” from 2013 to 2015. From 2014 to 2019, Tikhonov held a position at the “Russian Energy Agency,” and in July 2019, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy.