Russian embassy asks to organize Baumgertner’s meeting with Russian consular officers

Russian embassy has addressed an appeal to the Belarusan Foreign Ministry with a request for a meeting with “Uralkalij” CEO, who was recently detained in Minsk.

Russia is expressing concern over the arrest in Belarus of Vladislav Baumgertner, the general-director of Russia's Uralkalij potash-producing giant, reports RFE/RL. 

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said in Moscow that his government considers the detention an unfriendly gesture.

A Belarusian Investigative Committee spokesman told journalists on August 26 that Baumgertner has been charged with abuse of office. Four of his associates, who are also suspected of abuse of office, have been added to a wanted list by Belarus.

Baumgertner could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Let us recall that Baumgertner was the chairman of the Belarusian Potash Company (BKK), a now-defunct joint venture between Uralkalij and a Belarusian potash firm, Belaruskalij. The discord between Uralkalij and Belaruskalij started at the end of July Uralkalij board made a decision to stop export sales of its products through Belarusian Potash Company. Uralkalij-Trading became the only trade channel. Uralkalij explained it by violations of the principles of trading in a single network. Experts thought that Belaruskalij would have to sell part of the company quicker than planned. However, Belarus accused Uralkalij of attempting to absorb the Belarusian company.

Baumgertner probably said something that did not satisfy the official Minsk, Euroradio reports the words of the expert Siarhei Chaly.

“Evidently, there were some negotiations. And then they decided what to do with him… The measure is very serious and they probably thought about the possible consequences before doing it. Evidently, they understood that it would result in an international scandal.”

Uralkalij's press service confirmed that Baumgertner was arrested in Minsk after meeting with the Belarusian prime minister, but refused to comment further.