Poland Reviews Ukraine Extradition Request for Hermitage Archaeologist

Overview

• Warsaw prosecutors said they received Ukraine’s extradition file on December 23 and are assessing it before sending the case to court.
• A Polish court has ordered temporary custody until January 13, 2026, and the defense has appealed the detention.
• Relatives have launched a fundraiser to cover fees for a private Polish lawyer experienced in extradition cases and related procedural costs.
• Butyagin’s father says his son continues writing in custody, shares a cell with a Russian‑speaking inmate, and is awaiting permission to phone his wife.
• Ukraine accuses him of illegal archaeological work in Crimea with a possible sentence of up to ten years, while Russian academic and diplomatic bodies have urged against his transfer.