Denis Mikhailov, who oversaw contacts with international ratings agencies and Western investors in the ministry, is being tried for passing a document concerning Vietnam's debt to Russia to two businessmen and receiving a 87,000-euro car as "remuneration."
"The questions were basically connected with the transfer of a confidential Finance Ministry document to individuals who were not ministry officials," Alexei Kudrin told reporters.
Mikhailov has denied the charges. The two other suspects in the case, Alexei Kirzhnev, head of the International Investment Bank, and Teimuraz Karchave, president of National VIP-club, have also pleaded not guilty to charges of giving the bribe and receiving the document.
The investigation into Mikhailov, who was arrested in December 2004, was opened by the Prosecutor General's Office. But last April, his case was transferred to the Federal Security Service.
Kudrin said he had highlighted Mikhailov's employment record in court.
"I described him as an efficient and responsible employee," the minister said, adding that he hoped his answers would help the court reach an objective decision.
The Finance Ministry has reportedly supported Mikhailov from the start, hailing his contribution to progress in talks with the Paris Club of creditor nations.
