Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Russia are under pressure with the decision by Swiss authorities to extradite Russia’s former atomic energy minister to the USA.

Swiss authorities arrested Yevgeny Adamov in May on a US warrant over corruption allegations, but Russia then issued its own arrest warrant and sought to have Adamov extradited back to Russia.

The Swiss Federal Justice Agency decision to extradite Adamov to the USA despite Russia’s objections has soured relations between the two, with the Swiss envoy to Russia being given a note of protest in the Russian Foreign Ministry over the move.

Russian officials are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court of Switzerland against the decision, citing the fact that Adamov knows many Russian nuclear secrets, and should be sent back to Russia.