Boris Nemtsov: Putin must put Lukashenka on wanted list

Criminal proceedings must be initiated against the Belarusian ruler, a Russian politician thinks.

“Lukashenka wants to consolidate the people of Belarus around him by saying that economic problems in the country are caused by Russian oligarchs, in particular, by Kerimov, who decided to buy Belaruskali after its collapse. I think the Russian authorities must initiate a criminal case against him immediately. He acts like a bandit trying to throw innocent people into jail. Putin must put Lukashenka on the international wanted list. After that Kerimov's case will be closed,” Kommersant cites the co-chair of RPR-PARNAS party.

Interpol put Kerimov on wanted list at the request of Belarus.

The Investigation Committee of Belarus said Monday that Suleiman Kerimov was a defendant in the criminal case against executives of the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC). Investigators issued a request to take Kerimov into custody and add him to Interpol's wanted list. Actions by Kerimov are classified as abuse of power and office (part 4 of article 16 and part 3 of article 424 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus). He may face up to 10 years in prison and confiscation of property, the Belarusian Investigation Committee says.

Photo: ITAR-TASS