As part of an exchange with Russia, Poland handed over Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, whom Ukraine had requested be extradited. Butyagin is suspected of intentionally and illegally partially destroying the “Ancient City of Mirmekium” archaeological complex in Kerch, Crimea.
This was reported by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, according to Rzeczpospolita.
Butyagin was among those released as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia.
“One of those we exchanged is a Russian historian who was in the process of being extradited to Ukraine,” Sikorski stated.
Russian media outlets have also reported on Butyagin’s return to Russia, citing the FSB press service. Additionally, according to their reports, the wife of a Russian soldier from Transnistria was handed over to Russia, and the exchange involved Moldovan citizens.
Meanwhile, Andrzej Pochobut, an activist of the Polish community in Belarus who had been behind bars, returned to Poland. The prisoner exchange took place with the assistance of the Trump administration.
As a reminder, in March a Polish court approved Butyagin’s extradition to Ukraine, but he filed an appeal. According to the investigation, following the occupation of Crimea, Butyagin organized and conducted illegal archaeological excavations at the “Ancient City of Mirmekium,” a site of national significance. It is noted that under the guise of “expeditions,” the cultural heritage site was excavated, damaged, and partially destroyed. The damage caused by these actions is estimated at more than 200 million hryvnias.