Ukraine Seeks Extradition of Russian Archaeologist Detained in Warsaw
Poland has received a formal request from Ukraine to extradite a Russian archaeologist accused of looting cultural sites in occupied Crimea.
The Gaze reports this, referring to RMF24.
Prosecutors in Warsaw are conducting a preliminary legal review of the request to determine whether it meets the requirements of the 1957 European Convention on Extradition. If no formal obstacles are identified, the case will be forwarded to a Polish court along with the prosecution’s assessment.
As part of the review, authorities will examine whether there are any legal barriers to extradition, including ongoing criminal proceedings in Poland or a pending asylum application. Prosecutors are also expected to seek an extension of the suspect’s temporary detention, which is due to expire on January 13. The final decision will rest with the court.
The suspect, identified as Oleksandr B., is a Russian national employed by the State Hermitage Museum. He was detained in Warsaw earlier this month while transiting through Poland en route from the Netherlands to the Balkans, where he had been delivering a series of lectures on archaeology.
Ukraine placed the archaeologist on an international wanted list in November, accusing him of leading unauthorized archaeological expeditions in Crimea since 2014. Investigators say his team conducted illegal digs at the ancient city of Myrmekion near the Kerch Strait without permits from Ukrainian authorities, partially destroying protected heritage sites.
The alleged damage is estimated at roughly ₴200 million (about $5.4 million), and the charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years under Ukrainian law.
Other media have identified the detainee as Oleksandr Butyagin, head of the Department of Ancient Archaeology at the Hermitage.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published a list of more than 170 Ukrainian cultural treasures stolen by Russian occupiers.
Read also on The Gaze: Russia’s Museums Hold 110,000 Artifacts Taken from Ukraine, Investigation Reveals