Russia's Putin sacks cabinet member appointed by Medvedev

Moscow (dpa) - Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked a cabinet minister on Wednesday - the first such sacking since he returned to the Kremlin five months ago.

Oleg Govorun, 43, minister for regional development, was the man leaving his job, the Kremlin said. He had been appointed to the job by Putins predecessor Dmitry Medvedev, who is now Russias prime minister.

Putin criticized Govorun on live television in September, after which the official went on sick leave.

The Kremlin in recent days repeatedly denied that the snubbed Govorun had resigned.

Putin has named Igor Slyunyayev as a replacement.

Slyunyayev will pay special attention to deteriorating government-owned buildings, particularly apartment buildings, Putin said, according to an Interfax news agency report.

Russias Ministry of Regional Development is responsible for improving infrastructure in the 83 provinces and regions of the worlds largest country.

Commentators have accused Medvedev of failing to protect Govorun, in the latest development in the convoluted relationship between the prime minister and president. dpa wj um sbk mat Authors: Wolfgang Jung und Ulf Mauder

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Russia's Putin sacks cabinet member appointed by Medvedev