MOSCOW, November 5 (RAPSI) - Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner has been officially charged in absentia with abuse of power, Russia's Investigative Committee's press office told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

The Investigative Committee has also sent to the Prosecutor General's Office a complete set of documents necessary for the extradition of Baumgertner, the spokesperson added.

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.

On October 15, a criminal investigation into the chief executive of the world's largest potash producer was opened in Russia. On October 21, Moscow's Basmanny District court issued an arrest warrant in absentia for Baumgertner.