Most of Russians consider that the bribery allegations against the former head of the Ministry of Economic Development are fair, however many respondents still doubt that a fair judgment will be delivered.

MOSCOW, August 17, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the bribery allegations made against former Russian minister of economic development Alexey Ulyukayev.

The trial against Alexey Ulyukayev, former minister of economic development, has already become high-profile: 71% of Russians are aware of it (88% of retired persons; 82% of residents of Moscow ad St Petersburg). 

Asked whether Ulyukayev is guilty of bribery, most of Russians (57% of all respondents and 79% of those who know about the details of the trial) answer in the affirmative; they are opposed by only 7%. Those who believe the ex-minister is guilty say that the due punishment would be confiscation of property (53%), but many still are in favor of prison sentence (43%).   

At the same time, Russian people tend to think that this trial is a show trial (today 49% of Russians; 54% in November 2016), rather than the government’s efforts to combat corruption (35%). More than half of respondents  (56%) who are confident that Ulyukayev is guilty believe that even if he is proven  guilty the sentence will be formal (Ulyukayev will get the minimal punishment); a further 21% think that he will manage to  escape punishment  sentence.

The Medialogia Company conducted an analysis of more than 76,000 mentions devoted to Ulyukayev in the Russian media. Most of them were in November 2016 (35,000). The media reported the Basmanny court authorized the house arrest of the former head of the Ministry of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukayev accused of bribery. The media also told that President Vladimir Putin dismissed Alexey Ulyukayev due to “loss of confidence”.

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on August 11-13, 2017. The survey involved 1,800 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

*In 2016 the question was as follows: ‘Some people think that the Ulyukayev’s arrest shows the authorities’ efforts to combat corruption; others believe that this is nothing but a show trial, score-settling or conflict between competing clans. What statement is closer to your point of view?’

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.