MTZ Chief Metallurgist Detained In Ukrainian Top Manager’s Case

A group of several people was detained at the Minsk Tractor Plant.

Belarusian law enforcers detained the deputy chief engineer for metallurgical production – MTZ chief metallurgist Andrei Karas and several other employees of the tractor plant. Two unrelated sources informed tut.by about that.

"A group of several people, who used to buy foundry materials for the monetary reward, has been detained at the factory. The group has been existing for a long time. At that, the quality of raw materials sometimes raised questions," – the source said. According to it, MTZ chief metallurgist Andrei Karas is one of the detainees.

Another source informed that these events at MTZ are a continuation of the story with the detention of the Ukrainian top manager. "Some of them demanded [a payoff], the other gave it."

MTZ said that since November 21, the duties of the plant chief metallurgist have been performed by another person. The plant knows nothing about Andrei Karas’ whereabouts.

A week ago, Ukrainian media reported on the Weighting Plant (Konstantinovka, Donetsk region) director Alexander Skiba’s arrest in Minsk.

The Ukrainian company signed an agreement with MTZ on supplying products used in the foundry of the Belarusian plant. Skiba arrived for talks at the Minsk Tractor Plant on November 15. Soon he was detained by the KGB officers of Belarus. According to the information of the Ambassador of Ukraine in Belarus, the Ukrainian plant director is charged with "giving a bribe".

The Weighting Plant produces bulk materials that are used in the foundry industry – for the production of molding, core and non-stick coatings.

The KGB refused to give any comments.