Belarus extradites Baumgertner

The authorities have taken a decision to extradite Uralkali's CEO.

The information was spread by the General Prosecutor's Office of Russia, Interfax news agency reports.

“The General Prosecutor's Office of Belarus has informed about a decision to extradite Vladislav Baumgertner,” a representative of the Russian prosecution body said. “Baumgertner will soon be handed over to representatives of the Russian law-enforcement bodies,” according to him.

The decision to extradite Uralkali's CEO on the request of the General Prosecutor's Office of Russia was taken by Belarusian prosecutors a day before, the source of the news agency says.

The criminal case against Uladzislau Baumgertner is being investigated by the Main Investigative Department of Russia's Investigative Committee, the General Prosecutor's Office reminds.

Uralkali's CEO is accused of violating part 3 of article 33 and part 2 of article 201 of the Criminal Code of Russia, namely “as an executive officer of a commercial organisation he used his power against legal interests of the organisation to make profit for himself and other persons that caused grave consequences.”

Moscow's Basmanny district court issued an arrest warrant for Baumgertner in absentia in October. On October 22, 2013, representatives of the Belarusian General Prosecutor's Office received a request for his extradition for prosecution after bilateral consultations.

Vladislav Baumgertner was detained in Minsk on August 26. He was charged with abuse of power and taken into custody. He was released from jail a month later and placed under house arrest. Charges against him were specified. In late October, the period of investigation of his case was extended for two months. Uralkali's CEO was left under house arrest.

Representatives of the Russian embassy had a meeting with Baumgertner after his release from jail. He said he had no complaints.

Photo: vedomosti.ru