Authorities in Cyprus have confirmed that the remains found on Avdimou beach are Vladislav Baumgartner. He was the former chief executive of Uralkali, a big Russian fertilizer company. This sad discovery ends the mystery of his disappearance. Baumgartner was reported missing from his home in Limassol just days before.
Police found the body on January 15th. After a forensic examination and DNA tests, they confirmed it was 53-year-old Baumgartner. He lived in Cyprus. His family has been told the sad news. The British Bases Police are investigating how he died.
Baumgartner disappeared from his home in Pissouri on January 7th. A large search began immediately. The police are trying to find out the exact circumstances of his death.
His disappearance brings attention to his past. He was arrested in Minsk airport in August 2013. This happened after a business problem between Uralkali and a Belarusian company. The event was very public.
He lost his job as CEO in late 2013. The case moved to Russia in 2014. However, the charges were dropped in 2015. He then moved to Cyprus. His life in Limassol seemed quiet after his legal problems.
The European Union banned fertilizer imports from Belarus in 2022. This made global fertilizer trade more difficult. Baumgartner knew about these difficult supply chains. Therefore, his disappearance has made people think about sanctions evasion in this business. The investigation is ongoing. The identification of the body is an important step. Police are now trying to understand his last days.