Accessibility links

Breaking News

Moscow Requests Potash Exec's Extradition From Belarus


Uralkali General Director Vladislav Baumgertner, pictured here in June.
Uralkali General Director Vladislav Baumgertner, pictured here in June.
Russia's prosecutor-general has requested the extradition of the general director of the Russian potash producer Uralkali from Belarus.

The Prosecutor-General's Office said on November 5 that the request for Vladislav Baumgertner's extradition was sent in October. Earlier in the day, the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for Baumgertner in October on charges of abuse of authority.

Baumgertner, a Russian citizen, is under house arrest in Minsk on charges of embezzlement. He was arrested in August.

In July, Uralkali pulled out of a joint venture with a Belarusian potash firm, causing a row between Russia and Belarus.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said Baumgertner can be extradited to Russia only if Minsk is reimbursed for the damage inflicted on the Belarusian economy by Baumgertner's "illegal activities." He estimated those damages at $100 million.

Based on reporting by Interfax, and ITAR-TASS
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG