Baumgertner placed under house arrest following end of key investigative measures - official
GRODNO. Sept 26 (Interfax) - The pre-trial restrictions earlier imposed on Russian potash miner Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner have been changed following the completion of most of the investigative procedures, as well as in response to his relatives' request, Belarusian Investigative Committee head Valentin Shayev told reporters on Thursday.
"The initial urgent investigative measures intended to confirm the facts of the crime and confiscate appropriate documents have been completed. That is why we made such a decision, taking his relatives' pleas into consideration as well," he said.
Belarusian investigators earlier charged Baumgertner with abuse of power, an offence that can carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison.
The Belarusian Investigative Committee announced on August 26 that it had uncovered a scheme to cut state-owned Belaruskali out of decision-making at Belarusian Potash Co., the trading venture that Russia's Uralkali and Belaruskali set up in 2005. Baumgertner, who is also chairman of Belarusian Potash Co., was detained at Minsk Airport. The Belarusian authorities have estimated damages and losses caused as a result of this scheme at approximately $100 million.
On Thursday, Baumgertner was transferred from a Belarusian State Security Committee remand center to a rented apartment in Minsk where he was placed under house arrest.