Kremlin hopes Belarus will hand over Russian executive
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 September 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kremlin hopes Belarus will hand over Russian executive, 20 September 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5261036623.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 20, 2013
Uralkali General Director Vladislav Baumgertner, a Russian citizen, was arrested in Minsk last month and charged with abuse of office.
Russia expects Belarus to soon hand over the general director of Russia's Uralkali potash-producing company, according to presidential foreign-policy adviser Yury Ushakov.
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on September 23, said on September 19 that Vladislav Baumgertner could be extradited to Russia if Moscow joined in the investigations against him and the ownership of Uralkali was changed to restore stronger Belarusian commercial links.
Baumgertner, a Russian citizen, was arrested in Minsk last month and charged with abuse of office.
The move sparked tensions between Belarus and Russia.
Baumgertner was chairman of the Belarusian Potash Company (BKK), a now-defunct joint venture between Uralkali and a Belarusian potash firm, Belaruskali.
His announcement in July that Uralkali was leaving BKK led to a steep drop in the commodity's price, affecting the Belarusian economy.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
