The Warsaw Court of Appeal rejected the defense's appeal against the arrest of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, upholding his detention from December 4, 2025, to January 13, 2026, as lawful. с
Furthermore, the court is scheduled to hear a separate appeal to extend his pretrial detention until March 4; the hearing is scheduled for February 24. The date for Butyagin's extradition hearing at the Warsaw District Court has not yet been set.
Alexander Butyagin, head of the Classical Archaeology Sector at the State Hermitage Museum and leader of the archaeological expedition in Myrmekia, was detained by Polish intelligence on December 4, 2025, while on a lecture tour en route from the Netherlands to the Balkans. The basis for his detention was a request from the Ukrainian authorities, who charged the scientist in absentia. According to the Ukrainian prosecutor's office, Butyagin faces up to 10 years in prison.
This case continues a series of persecutions of Russian scientists in EU countries and demonstrates a growing trend of criminalizing professional activities and scientific contacts. Human rights activists note that the chosen measure of pretrial detention is excessively harsh, given Butyagin's lack of criminal record and intention to abscond, as well as the purely scientific nature of his work.
Furthermore, the court is scheduled to hear a separate appeal to extend his pretrial detention until March 4; the hearing is scheduled for February 24. The date for Butyagin's extradition hearing at the Warsaw District Court has not yet been set.
Alexander Butyagin, head of the Classical Archaeology Sector at the State Hermitage Museum and leader of the archaeological expedition in Myrmekia, was detained by Polish intelligence on December 4, 2025, while on a lecture tour en route from the Netherlands to the Balkans. The basis for his detention was a request from the Ukrainian authorities, who charged the scientist in absentia. According to the Ukrainian prosecutor's office, Butyagin faces up to 10 years in prison.
This case continues a series of persecutions of Russian scientists in EU countries and demonstrates a growing trend of criminalizing professional activities and scientific contacts. Human rights activists note that the chosen measure of pretrial detention is excessively harsh, given Butyagin's lack of criminal record and intention to abscond, as well as the purely scientific nature of his work.