The Tragedy In Russian Government

Andrei Illarionov, economic adviser of Russia?s president Vladimir Putin, said he took a grave view of the destroying the Russian oil giant Yukos.

At a Moscow news conference Illarionov talked about "the state's incompetent interference in the economy", saying that there are no rules in his country.

Mr Illarionov, who is considered to have views which often differ from other top Russian government officials, said Russia had changed its model of economic development.

Speaking about the recent auction sale of the main Yukos production unit, Yuganskneftegaz, he called the auction ?the scam of the year".