MINSK, October 11 (RAPSI) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko claims that he was offered a bribe of $5 billion for the sale of potash giant Belaruskali at a lower price.

“I was offered $15 billion – five for me and ten for the budget,” – Lukashenko said on Friday at a press conference in Minsk. He did not specify as to who approached him with this offer.

This statement comes on the tails of the arrest of Russian potash major Uralkali’s CEO, Vladislav Baumgertner.

Baumgertner was detained in Minsk on August 26 and charged with abuse of power, according to the Investigative Committee of Belarus. According to the Belarusian authorities, the criminal case 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.

Uralkali reacted swiftly, blaming Belarus authorities for the incident. "We are surprised with what has happened and consider it a provocation," PRIME business news agency quoted Uralkali representative Alexander Babinsky as saying.

Potash makes up around 8 percent of Belarus' exports and Belaruskali is one of its largest industrial enterprises. A major fall in potash prices would therefore deal a severe blow to Minsk, which has suffered from major falls in the Belarusian ruble in recent years.

Uralkali has long coveted Belaruskali and was in negotiations last year to buy a stake in the company, but talks fell apart after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he would not sell a controlling stake in the state-owned firm.