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RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN BERN ASKS SWISS AUTHORITIES TO RELEASE ADAMOV

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GENEVA, May 19 (RIA Novosti, Yekaterina Andrianova) - The Russian embassy in Bern has asked Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice to release former Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov. "We have presented our demands to release him on bail," embassy press attache Igor Petrov told RIA Novosti on Thursday. In his words, the embassy forwarded a relevant letter to Chief of the Federal Office of Justice Christoph Blocher.

The Russian embassy believes that Adamov's imprisonment is inadmissible because his arrest was a violation of international law. Moreover, the embassy was not duly informed about Adamov's arrest which affects Russia's interests.

"The Russian side would welcome Adamov's release on bail taking into account his age for humanitarian reasons before the Swiss authorities make a relevant decision [on his extradition]," reads the embassy's letter.

"Adamov's release would mark some progress at the moment and then a decision can be made on the site of his extradition," Petrov added.

Earlier this day, the Swiss federal department of justice reported that it has received Russia's official inquiry on Adamov's extradition. This inquiry is based on the arrest warrant which was issued by Moscow's Basmanny Court on May 14, 2005.

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office launched criminal proceedings against Adamov on charges of fraud.

Yevgeny Adamov, 66, who headed the Russian atomic energy ministry in 1998-2001 was detained in Bern on May 2. The warrant for Adamov's arrest was issued by the West Pennsylvania District Court. He is now staying in prison in Bern and is waiting for his extradition to the United States.

The United States has time until June 30 to forward a formal request for Adamov's extradition. A simplified extradition procedure was proposed to Adamov but he refused.

After the US request for Adamov's extradition, Switzerland's federal office of justice should give priority either to Russian or to the US request.

US authorities have charged Yevgeny Adamov and his business partner, US citizen Mark Kaushansky of embezzling $9 million which the US government allocated on Russian nuclear security projects.

Adamov faces 60 years in prison and a $1.75 million fine.

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