Adamov Extradited To Russia

Adamov (left) faces corruption charges in Russia (file photo) (epa) 30 December 2005 -- Switzerland today extradited Russia's former Atomic Energy Minister Yevgenii Adamov to Moscow to face corruption charges.

The Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement that Adamov left Zurich late today on a chartered Russian plane.

A Swiss court ruled yesterday that Adamov be extradited to Russia rather than the United States.

U.S. Justice Department officials accuse him of diverting up to $9 million from funds intended to improve Russian nuclear security into private projects in the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.

Adamov was arrested in May on a U.S. warrant while visiting the Swiss capital, Bern.

He was appointed atomic energy minister in 1998 but was dismissed in 2001 amid corruption allegations.

(Reuters)