Warsaw court delays extradition of Russian archaeologist Aleksander Butiagin to Ukraine after defense requests judge’s removal.
Court Postpones Extradition Case
On Thursday, January 15, the District Court in Warsaw announced a decision regarding the extradition of Aleksander Butiagin to Ukraine. The court decided to postpone the case indefinitely until another judge is appointed.
The Russian’s defense requested the exclusion of Judge Dariusz Łubowski from the proceedings, citing concerns about his impartiality.
Russian Archaeologist Detained
In December, Aleksander Butiagin was detained in Poland by officers of the Internal Security Agency and taken into custody. Ukrainian investigators requested his extradition.
Butiagin was head of the ancient archaeology department at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Ukrainian services suspect him of destroying cultural heritage objects during archaeological work on Russian-occupied Crimea, causing losses of over 200 million hryvnia (equivalent to more than 17 million zlotys).
Russia’s Position
Russia demands immediate release of Butiagin. According to the Kremlin, accusations against him by Ukrainians are “absurd and politicized”.
On Monday, January 12, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski and presented Moscow’s demands regarding the detained archaeologist.
Butiagin’s Defense
Butiagin explained that his actions in Crimea were “work for humanity”. He stated before the court, “Extraditing me to the Ukrainian justice system may threaten my health and life, because I am a Russian.”
Butiagin’s defense attorney, mec. Adam Domański, stated that his client after Russia’s annexation of Crimea had no possibility of obtaining permits for archaeological work from Ukrainian authorities, so Russians issued approvals.
