MOSCOW, October 11 (RAPSI, Maria Petrova) - Moscow’s Basmanny District court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner, RAPSI learned in the courtroom Monday.

A criminal investigation into the chief executive of the world's largest potash producer has been opened in Russia last week.

Konstantin Solodovnikov, former Belaruskali executive, is another suspect along with Baumgertner and a number of other unnamed executives who were charged with abuse of power.

Baumgertner was detained in Minsk on August 26. According to the Belarusian authorities, the criminal case against him was launched as the result of a probe into abuse of power allegations that led to grave damage to the public interests of Belarus, and damages to the company Belarusian Potash.

The charges followed a July decision by Uralkali to dissolve its international cartel with Belaruskali, sending potash prices spiraling down.

Baumgertner remains in Minsk since he was placed under house arrest in September.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said that Baumgertner might be extradited to Russia if he covers the alleged losses.