Polish authorities have detained a Russian academic from the State Hermitage Museum, identified as Aleksandr B under Polish law and Alexander Butyagin by Russia's foreign ministry. He is sought by Ukraine on allegations of conducting illegal excavations and causing partial destruction at the ancient city of Myrmekion in Crimea.
Ukrainian Allegations
Ukrainian prosecutors accuse Aleksandr B of conducting unauthorized excavations at the 'Ancient City of Myrmekion' archaeological complex in Kerch. These activities reportedly occurred between February 2014 and November 2019, during which period he is alleged to have partially destroyed the complex. The Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office estimates the damage caused at UAH 201.6 million (approximately $4.77 million). Myrmekion is an Ancient Greek colony founded by the Ionians in the Sixth Century BCE, located in contemporary Crimea, a territory Russia annexed in February 2014.
Detention and Legal Process
Aleksandr B was detained in Poland on December 4 and subsequently questioned by prosecutors in Warsaw, where he declined to provide explanations. The Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office issued an extradition request for him in November. The Warsaw District Court has approved his remand in custody at the Warsaw-Białołęka detention centre for 40 days, until January 13, to facilitate the ongoing extradition process. The Russian embassy in Warsaw has been informed of his detention and is providing consular assistance.
Russian Response
Russia's foreign ministry has identified the detained individual as Alexander Butyagin, an employee of the State Hermitage Museum. The ministry condemned his detention, stating that he had been invited to deliver lectures on Pompeii in Warsaw and other European cities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the detention as "absolute legal tyranny" and stated that Russia would demand protection for its citizen's interests through diplomatic channels.