MOSCOW, January 13 (RAPSI) - Former Russian Economy Minister Alexey Ulyukayev, who stands charged with extorting a $2 million bribe, has appealed a ruling on extension of his house arrest for three months, Moscow’s Basmanny District Court’s spokesperson Yunona Tsareva told RAPSI on Friday.

On Thursday, the court extended the former minister’s house arrest until April 15. Earlier, the court also ordered the seizure of Ulyukayev’s property valued at over 564 million rubles.

Investigation into Ulyukayev has been extended until May 15.

Ulyukayev was arrested while receiving a bribe. He allegedly demanded Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft’s representative to pay him $2 million for lawfully providing a positive review and evaluation of a deal that allowed Rosneft to acquire government’s share in mid-sized producer Bashneft. According to acting spokeswoman for the Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko, the former minister threatened to create obtrusions for Rosneft with use of his position.

Ulyukayev has pleaded not guilty.

On November 15, the ex-minister was put under house arrest.

Later in the evening, President Vladimir Putin relieved Ulyukayev of his post because of loss of trust.