MOSCOW, May 8 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order Wednesday dismissing Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov, who was in charge of economic modernization.
Surkov's firing follows his open criticism of an investigation into corruption in Russia's high-tech industry, The Moscow Times reported. A presidential spokesman said Surkov submitted a letter of resignation Tuesday after Putin gave Cabinet members a dressing down at a meeting.
ITAR-Tass, citing a source in Putin's office, said the president does not plan to appoint Surkov to another government post.
Political expert Dmitry Oreshkin, in an interview on Kommersant FM radio, suggested Surkov's dismissal is aimed at Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and predicted the prime minister would be dismissed soon.
