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Former CEO Of Russian Potash Giant Released On Bail


A Russian potash executive whose arrest in Belarus last year sparked tension between the allied nations has been released on bail after months confined to his home in Moscow.

A court in the capital said former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner has been released on $390,000 bail on September 1.

His release had not been announced publicly and the court spokeswoman acknowledged it shortly after Baumgartner’s lawyer declined to comment on a newspaper interview in which Uralkali's current CEO said Baumgertner had been granted bail days ago.

Baumgertner was arrested in Minsk in August 2013 after Uralkali withdrew from a joint venture with a Belarusian state company.

Belarusian authorities charged him with abuse of office and embezzlement and placed him under house arrest in Minsk.

Belarus extradited Baumgertner to Russia in November after a change in Uralkali's ownership structure demanded by Belarus, and he was placed under house arrest in Moscow.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS

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