From 2003 to 2013, Vladyslav Baumgartner was a commercial director, and then the CEO of the Russian company Uralkali (archival photo)
As reported by the Belarusian Service of Radio Liberty
Cyprus police are searching for 56-year-old Russian Vladislav Baumgertner, who has gone missing on January 7 from his residence in Limassol. The information is confirmed by the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Local police are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Limassol Police Department or call the Cyprus Police hotline.
From 2003 to 2013 Baumgertner held the position of Commercial Director, and later headed the Russian company Uralkali. From March 2017 to October 2021 he served as the CEO of the Aleo company.
The materials also mention that a suspect in working for Russian intelligence was detained in Sweden – this is confirmed by sources connected to the media community.
Context of the Event and Baumgartner’s Background
In August 2013 Baumgartner was arrested in Belarus on charges of abuse of power – he had arrived in Belarus for talks with Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich. Baumgartner became one of the highest-ranking Russian top executives detained in Belarus in recent years.
The circumstances of his detention at the airport before his flight to Russia, a three-month stay in an investigative detention facility and house arrest in Minsk, as well as high-level negotiations for his release, drew the attention of the public and the media. In November 2013 Baumgartner was extradited to Russia.