The arrest took place on December 4 at the request of Ukrainian authorities, who are seeking the man’s extradition. The case is being handled by the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office, according to Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the minister coordinating Poland’s special services.
Dobrzyński said the investigation concerns alleged illegal excavations between 2014 and 2019 in areas of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation.
Ukrainian officials accuse the man of damaging cultural heritage sites in Crimea, with losses estimated at over UAH 200 million (EUR 4 million), according to broadcaster RMF FM.
The suspect is currently in custody pending a formal extradition request from Ukraine.
“The court will now take the necessary time to review the matter,” said Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, speaking Thursday on TOK FM radio.
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Source: PAP, RMF FM, TOK FM