Uralkali CEO still held in Belarus

Uralkali potash company's CEO Vladislav Baumgertner will stay in custody at the Belarusian KGB (state security committee) detention centre, a Minsk court ruled on Friday, rejecting an attorneys' appeal. "Our complaint is not satisfied," lawyer Dmitry Goryachko told reporters, adding he could not comment on the court decision in a legal battle between the Russian firm and a Belarusian company also producing fertilizers. Goryachko said the defense would appeal against the decision in court on Monday. The Investigative Committee inquires into criminal cases filed by the country’s Prosecutor’s Office under articles connected with authority abuse and abuse of office by employees ofBelarusian Potash Company – Chairman of Supervisory Board Vladislav Baumgertner, Supervisory Board member Oleg Petrov, First Deputy CEO Konstantin Solodovnikov, Financial Affairs Deputy CEO Igor Yevstratov, Head of Freight Department Dmitry Samoylov and other staff members. “Reasons for initiation of criminal cases became files that indicate on the abuse of office that led to substantial damage to Belarus’s national and governmental interests, as well as losses to Beloruskali OJSC and Belarusian Potash Company CJSC,” the Investigative Committee’s representative noted. The Investigative Committee’s spokesperson added that by virtue of the evidence available in the case, as well as other facts the Investigative Committee determined to consider the criminally persecuted persons as charged offenders.