Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reacts to Poland extraditing archaeologist Butyagin to Russia instead of Ukraine

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has stated that Polish law enforcement authorities deemed the documents provided by Ukraine for the extradition of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin sufficient. However, Poland ultimately handed him over to Russia as part of an exchange agreement.

Source: Mariana Haiovska, spokesperson for the Prosecutor General's Office, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Details: The spokesperson stressed that the Ukrainian side had consistently insisted on Butyagin's extradition to hold him criminally responsible in Ukraine.

The case concerns illegal archaeological activities and the removal of cultural assets from temporarily occupied Crimea.

During the review of the request, the competent authorities of the Republic of Poland properly assessed the materials submitted by Ukraine and recognised them as sufficient to decide on extradition to Ukraine, Haiovska noted.

Meanwhile, the final decision regarding Butyagin was made in the context of international agreements related to the exchange of detainees.

Quote: "The Office of the Prosecutor General will continue to use all national and international mechanisms to bring this individual to justice for crimes committed against Ukraine and its cultural heritage."

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