Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner was detained in Minsk on August 26, 2013. 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. The charges followed a decision by Uralkali to dissolve its international cartel with Belaruskali, sending potash prices spiraling down. Baumgetner was turned over to Russia after a Moscow court sanctioned his arrest in absentia.