Rumyantsev did not discuss Adamov's arrest in Switzerland

MOSCOW, JUNE 17, (RIA Novosti) - Alexander Rumyantsev, director of the Federal Nuclear Energy Agency (Rosatom), now staying in Washington, did not discuss the arrest of former Russian nuclear-energy minister Yevgeny Adamov in Switzerland.

"We did not discuss this issue with our colleagues because we know nothing about Swiss claims," Rumyantsev, who is attending a session of the Russian-US nuclear-safety commission, said.

"Diplomats are doing their work. And I think a mutually acceptable solution will be found," he added. In his opinion, Adamov should be questioned in Switzerland.

Adamov, who headed the Russian nuclear-energy ministry in 1998-2001, was arrested May 2 in Berne in line with a US Justice Department request. The US side accuses Adamov and his business partner Mark Kaushansky, a US citizen, of embezzling $9 million the US Government allocated for Russian nuclear safety projects. Adamov faces up to 60 years in prison in the USA and a $1.75-million fine. A formal US extradition request may be received by June 30.

Switzerland received the Russian extradition request May 17, after Moscow's Basmanny court issued a warrant for Adamov's arrest May 14. The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office charged him with fraud and malfeasance.

Adamov cannot go to Russia, unless Switzerland receives an official US extradition request.

In his statement that was issued by Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg, Adamov rejected the simplified-extradition procedure May 26, previously turning down a simplified US-extradition procedure.

"I consider my arrest on request from the USA to be unlawful. I plan to go home a free man," Adamov stressed.

On June 9 the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona ruled that Adamov's arrest was unlawful, and that he be released.

The Federal Justice Department asked the Federal Court in Lausanne to postpone Adamov's release pending an appeal from the Bellinzona court verdict.

The Swiss Federal Court upheld this request June 10.