Potash Exec To Remain In Pretrial Detention

Journalists await a court decision for Uralkali General Director Vladislav Baumgertner in Minsk.

The general director of Russia's Uralkali potash-producing giant, who was arrested in Belarus, will remain in pretrial detention in Minsk.

A court in Minsk on September 6 rejected the request of Vladislav Baumgertner's lawyers to release their client.

Baumgertner was arrested in Minsk on August 26 and charged with abuse of office. The move has 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.

Baumgertner's lawyer, Dmitry Goryachko, told reporters on September 6 that the court's decision not to release Baumgertner will be appealed. If found guilty, Baumgertner could face up to 10 years in jail.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS