Russian archaeologist Butyagin, who was awaiting extradition to Ukraine, was exchanged by Poland for a journalist
Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who was detained in Warsaw at Ukraine’s request, has been released as part of an exchange.
Butyagin is known for his involvement in illegal archaeological excavations in occupied Crimea and subsequent trips to European countries.
He was detained in Poland several months ago, and in March, a court authorized his extradition to Ukraine. However, the case did not proceed to Kyiv—he was included in the prisoner exchange.
According to the FSB, Butyagin was exchanged along with the wife of a Russian military officer. In return, two officers from the Moldovan special services were handed over to the Russian side.
The exchange took place on the Belarusian-Polish border. As part of the deal, Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut was also released.
As a reminder, a court in Warsaw approved the extradition of Russian archaeologist Butyagin to Ukraine.
A Polish court will also consider the extradition to Ukraine of an archaeologist who helped the occupiers loot Crimea.
