Russian deputy communications and media minister resigns

Russia’s deputy communications and mass media minister Denis Sverdlov has resigned, according to local press reports.

According to Interfax, citing a communications ministry spokeswoman, Sverdlov, the former head of wireless broadband service provider Yota, decided to step down as a result of a new law that bars Russian federal officials and their family members from holding assets and bank accounts abroad. Sverdlov’s wife owns a property in France.

According to the communications ministry, Sverdlov will remain as an adviser to the minister and will continue to oversee reforms he initiated.