You're reading: Interpol decides to declare Kerimov internationally wanted – TV

Interpol has decided to declare Suleiman Kerimov, the key shareholder of Uralkali, internationally wanted, Belarus-1 TV channel reported quoting the Belarusian Interior Ministry.

“It has just been become known that Interpol decided to declare Suleiman Kerimov internationally wanted based on documents produced by the Belarusian side. This is reported by the Belarusian Interior Ministry,” the TV channel said.

On Monday Anatoly Kucherena, Kerimov’s lawyer, said his client would refrain from traveling abroad, if declared internationally wanted by Interpol.

“Interpol does not explain the truthfulness or justification of declaring some person wanted. It is bound to fulfill motions from investigative bodies of member-states of the international police organization,” Kucherena said.

He said that for this very reason Kerimov would give up foreign travels to avoid arrest, if declared internationally wanted.

The lawyer described the situation as absurd. “This is absolutely absurd. I don’t even know how to conduct the defense, whom to defend him from. Whom should I contact and how? Through the press service of the Belarusian Investigative Committee?” he wondered.

He could not answer the question what steps the defense would take. “At this stage I can’t say anything,” the lawyer said.

Earlier on Monday the Belarusian Investigative Committee said Kerimov was a defendant in the case launched against Belaruskali executives. Resolutions were issued to take him into custody and declare him internationally wanted. The investigation had qualified Kerimov’s actions as organizing acts of abuse of office and power [p. 4 of Article 16 and p. 3 of Article 424 of the Criminal Code of Belarus]. The maximum punishment stipulated by the article is 10 years of confinement with the confiscation of property, the Investigative Committee stated.