Igor Ivanovich Sechin

Position / Function

During the key events involving Yukos, Sechin served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration and an aide to the President of Russia. From 2004, he was a member of Rosneft’s board; he later chaired the board and, from 2012, served as the company’s president and chairman of the management board. In 2016, he became Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft PJSC.

Role in the Case

A senior executive of the state-owned oil company that became the ultimate corporate recipient of key Yukos assets. Mikhail Khodorkovsky publicly alleged that Igor Sechin played a significant role in the state’s actions against Yukos.

Key Dates

• 2003 — Criminal proceedings against Yukos executives begin.
• 2004 — Sechin joins the board of Rosneft Oil Company OJSC.
• 19 December 2004 — Baikalfinansgrup acquires 76.79% of Yuganskneftegaz OJSC at a forced auction.
• December 2004 — Rosneft acquires 100% of Baikalfinansgrup and gains control of Yuganskneftegaz.
• 2006–2011 — Sechin chairs Rosneft’s board.
• May 2012 — Appointed President of Rosneft Oil Company OJSC.

Involvement

Sechin joined Rosneft’s board in 2004, when Yukos’s main producing asset, Yuganskneftegaz, was being sold under compulsion and subsequently came under Rosneft’s control through its acquisition of Baikalfinansgrup LLC. The acquisition of Yukos assets significantly expanded Rosneft’s resource and production base, and Yuganskneftegaz became one of its key producing assets.