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Belarusian prosecutors confirm Russia's request for Baumgertner's extradition

Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office Pyotr Kiselyov: the request is under consideration

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/URALKALI PRESS SERVICE

MINSK, November 6 (Itar-Tass) - Belarusian prosecutors have confirmed receiving Russia's request to extradite Director General of the Uralkali fertilizer producer Vladislav Baumgertner.

"The Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office has received the request from the Russian Prosecutor General's Office to extradite Baumgertner. It is under consideration," spokesman for the Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office Pyotr Kiselyov told Itar-Tass.

Russia will be duly notified, Kiselyov added.

In late July, Uralkali, a Russian potash fertilizer company based in Berezniki, Perm Territory, announced its withdrawal from the Belarusian Potash Company, and on August 26, Baumgertner was detained and taken in custody in Minsk after talks with Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich. Initially, he was charged with abuse of office powers but later the charges were changed to theft.

Baumgertner has been under house arrest in a rented apartment in Minsk since September 26.

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