Poland exchanged prisoners with Belarus: archaeologist Butyagin, who was to be extradited to Ukraine, was handed over to the Russian Federation
Kyiv • UNN
Archaeologist Butyagin was handed over to Russia during an exchange between Poland and Belarus. Ukraine accuses him of destroying cultural heritage in Crimea.
Arrested archaeologist Alexander Butyagin was handed over to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange between Poland and Belarus. This was reported by "Nasha Niva," according to UNN.
Details
According to media reports, the FSB of the Russian Federation later announced that archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, as well as the wife of a Russian serviceman, were exchanged for two career officers of the Moldovan special services.
Addendum
The 5-for-5 exchange between the countries took place today in the Bialowieza Forest. This is a pedestrian and bicycle checkpoint at the Pererov-Bialowieza border crossing.
From the Belarusian side, journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released from a penal colony.
Archaeologist Alexander Butyagin was detained on December 11 in Poland, where he was giving a lecture. Ukraine had requested his extradition: he is charged there with illegal excavations in Crimea and the destruction of cultural heritage.