Switzerland's decision to extradite Russia's former atomic energy minister Yevgeny Adamov to the United States would harm Russian-Swiss relations, a Russian Foreign Ministry official said Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry notified the Swiss charge d'affaires Wednesday of Russia's attitude toward the Swiss decision, the Itar- Tass news agency reported.

"The Swiss diplomat was told the decision was unfair," Itar- Tass quoted an unidentified Foreign Ministry official as saying.

"We disagree with this decision, because it ignores major arguments in favor of Adamov's extradition to Russia that were repeatedly explained to the Swiss authorities. This decision causes surprise and disappointment, and cannot but affect Russian- Swiss relations," the official said.

Adamov was arrested on May 2 in Switzerland at the request of the United States, which accused him of embezzling up to 9 million US dollars of US aid to Russia, money that was intended for beefing up security at Russia's nuclear facilities. Both Russia and the United States requested his extradition.

Swiss authorities decided Monday to extradite Adamov to the United States rather than to his homeland. The Foreign Ministry later denounced the ruling, saying it "runs counter to legal and objective circumstances."

Source: Xinhua