Russia's former atomic energy minister, Yevgeny Adamov, currently in custody in a Swiss prison, has agreed to the simplified procedure of his extradition to Russia, an official of the Federal Justice Department, Folko Galli has told Itar-Tass over the telephone.

This means that Adamov is prepared to be answerable to charges brought against him by both Russian and U.S. judicial instances.

Earlier, Adamov repeatedly refused to accept the simplified procedure of extradition to either the United States or to Russia. He also denied all charges.

The U.S. authorities hold him responsible for embezzling nine million dollars disbursed to Russia for nuclear security projects.

Adamov was detained last May at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice. The official request for his extradition from the United States came in June.

Russia demanded Adamov's extradition last May on the basis of an arrest warrant issued on charges of fraud and power abuse.

Adamov's future now depends on the response of the U.S. authorities, Galli said. There has been no reply from the United States yet if it is ready to withdraw its extradition request and agree with the handover of Adamov's case, and the charges he faces in the United States to the Russian judicial authorities.

If the United States says YES, the question of Adamov's extradition to Russia may be resolved without any further problems. If the answer is NO, the Federal Justice Department will have to go ahead with the formal procedures to decide whose extradition request should enjoy priority.

Source: Agencies