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Warsaw Court Approves Extradition of Russian Archaeologist to Ukraine

His lawyer plans an appeal over charges tied to alleged illegal digs at Crimea’s Myrmekion site.

Overview

  • Judge Dariusz Lubowski ruled the extradition lawful, according to the defense and the detainee’s relatives.
  • Alexander Butyagin was detained in Poland on December 4, 2025 during travel after Ukraine requested his arrest.
  • Ukrainian prosecutors allege unauthorized excavations at Myrmekion with damage exceeding 200 million hryvnias and the seizure of 30 gold coins.
  • The Kremlin denounced Poland’s actions as “legal tyranny,” and Russia earlier summoned the Polish ambassador to protest the case.
  • The defense will appeal, asserting the case lacks proof of monument destruction, disputing the applicable charges and limitation period, and warning that transfer would endanger him.