MINSK - Belarus on Monday arrested the chief executive of Russian potash giant Uralkali (IW 1000/900) for alleged abuse of authority, detaining him at Minsk airport hours after he had held talks with the Belarussian prime minister.
The extraordinary arrest of Vladislav Baumgertner in the capital Minsk came three weeks after Uralkali severed links with its Belarussian partner Belaruskali, triggering a crash in the prices of global manufacturers of the fertilizer.
"He has been accused of abusing authority or power. He has been placed under custody," Belarussian Investigative Committee spokesman Pavel Taraulko said, without giving further details.
Under this charge, Baumgertner could face between three to 10 years in jail.
The Belarussian Investigative Committee said that it was also investigating Suleiman Kerimov, the billionaire owner of Russia premier league team Anzhi Makhachkala and a major Uralkali shareholder, for unlawful activities.
Four other managers at Uralkali have also been put on a wanted list by the Belarussian Investigative Committee in the probe. But they are currently all believed to be in Moscow.
Uralkali spokesman Alexander Babinsky said that Baumgertner had held a meeting with Belarussian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich and he was then detained at Minsk airport on departure.
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