MINSK, October 21 (RAPSI) - Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner will be extradited to Russia if he covers the alleged losses, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told journalists on Monday.

According to Lukashenko, it's necessary to give this matter immediate attention and punish the guilty.

Baumgertner was detained in Minsk on August 26 and charged with abuse of power. 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.

In September, Baumgertner was released from prison and placed under house arrest.  Russian authorities are preparing to submit documents for his extradition from Belarus.

On October 14, a criminal investigation into Baumgertner was opened in Russia.