Suspicious death in Cyprus: a Russian oligarch, found dead. A day later, a Russian diplomat also died
The body of Vladislav Baumgertner, 56, the former CEO of Russian potash giant Uralkali, was found in Cyprus on Wednesday. A day after his disappearance was announced, a diplomat from the Russian Embassy also died.
Vladislav Baumgertner, Russian oligarch PHOTO: X
The body of Vladislav Baumgertner was found on the shores of the island, according to several local media. The businessman had disappeared on January 7, a day before the death of the Russian diplomat at the embassy.
According to Philenews, the body was found in a coastal area that is difficult to access, on the south coast of the island, between the village of Pissouri and the village of Avdimo. The search operation, which began on January 10, mobilized drones to inspect the cliffs on the coast, an operation complicated by winter weather and strong winds, the News writes.
Vladislav Baumgertner worked at Uralkali between 2003 and 2013, first as commercial director, then as general director. He was arrested in Minsk, Belarus, in 2013, following the breakdown of relations between Uralkali and the main Belarusian potash company. At the end of 2013, he was extradited to Russia, and the case was closed.
In 2015, he headed Global Ports, Russia's leading container terminal operator.
In recent years, the oligarch had been living alone on the Cypriot island, according to The Guardian, and was last seen in Limassol, a coastal city popular with Russian expats, where he had a house.
There is a large Russian community in Cyprus – the island is sometimes called the Moscow of the Mediterranean.
“To date, there is no indication to suggest a link between the two (deaths),” assured the spokesman of the Cypriot police, Vyron Vyronos.
But it is not surprising that, on social networks, the death of Vladislav Baumgertner caused numerous reactions from Internet users convinced that the oligarch's death was not accidental at all.
These events take place in the context in which the Cypriot authorities, who have just taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union, are facing a corruption scandal triggered by the publication of a video. The images, posted online on X on January 8 by a ghost account, appear to show the officials discussing how they can circumvent campaign finance laws.
They mention in particular the use of cash to exceed the ceiling of one million euros of expenses for a presidential campaign. The scandal led to resignations at the highest level, starting with that of the president's chief of staff, Charalambos Charalambous. First lady Philippa Karsera has resigned as director of a state-backed association, citing social media attacks against her family.
For its part, the Cypriot government denies any illegal action and accuses foreign interference. The country's authorities are investigating to determine whether the video is the result of a “hybrid activities” directed against the country and if its content indicates criminal offences.
