Belarussian authorities have changed the terms for Vladislav Baumgertner's detention and will allow the head of the Russian potash produce Uralkali to be put under house arrest.
"Tonight in Minsk, the measure of restraint for Vladislav Baumgertner was unexpectedly changed. He has been placed under house arrest," the CEO's lawyer Alexei Basistov told RIA Novosti.
Baumgertner, who was previously in the Belarussian KGB prison, is currently held under constant surveillance in a Minsk apartment. He was allowed a visit by his mother.
The businessman was arrested in the country's capital in August on charges of abuse of power several weeks after Uralkali withdrew from a partnership with the Belarussian fertilizer producer Belaruskali. Later, Belarus authorities also put Uralkali's stakeholder Suleiman Kerimov on an international wanted list.
Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko said last week that Baumgertner may be extradited to Russia if law enforcement authorities there agree to investigate his case.
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