The grieving family of Vladislav Baumgertner, the former chief of Russian fertiliser giant Uralkali, is vehemently opposing his burial in Moscow, demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise. Baumgertner, who disappeared from his Cyprus residence in January, was later found dead, with authorities attributing his death to a "fatal fall." However, his sons, Roman and Alexandre, along with their mother Irina Baumgertner, are challenging this conclusion, suspecting foul play and seeking to halt the issuance of burial documents until their questions are answered.
The saga began on January 7th when Baumgertner vanished after leaving his home in Pissouri, Cyprus. Cypriot authorities initiated a search on January 11th, which culminated on January 14th with the discovery of a body in a ravine along Limassol's coastline, near the seaside village of Avdimou. An autopsy was subsequently conducted at the British Bases in Akrotiri. Despite the official pronouncement of an accidental fall, the family’s legal representatives have lodged a formal request with authorities in the Tsaritsino district of Moscow, imploring them to suspend the burial permit process.
Central to the family's scepticism are several perplexing discrepancies. They question the plausibility of a man known to suffer from knee ailments and harbour a pronounced fear of heights undertaking a hike that would lead to such a fatal accident. Furthermore, the continued activation of his mobile phone after his disappearance has added another layer of intrigue, suggesting he may not have been alone or that the circumstances of his parting from his residence were not as straightforward as initially presented. The family’s legal team has explicitly stated their opposition to the burial, asserting that it must be deferred until a comprehensive and conclusive investigation is finalised.
The transfer of Baumgertner’s remains to Moscow earlier this month has intensified the urgency of the family's actions. Their lawyers are actively engaging with Russian officials, aiming to leverage domestic legal avenues to ensure their concerns are addressed. The situation highlights a deeply unfortunate dispute within the family, exacerbated by the uncertainty surrounding the death of a prominent business figure. The outcome of this legal and investigative battle will undoubtedly have significant implications, not only for the Baumgertner family's quest for closure but also for the broader narrative surrounding the tycoon's untimely end. As it stands, the final resting place of Vladislav Baumgertner remains uncertain, pending the resolution of these deeply troubling questions.