Switzerland decided yesterday to extradite the Kremlin's former nuclear minister to the United States to face charges of stealing up to $9 million intended to improve nuclear security in Russia.

Moscow had hoped to try Yevgeny Adamov itself rather than risk his revealing nuclear secrets to the United States, and the Swiss decision set off high-level protests in Russia.

Switzerland's Justice Ministry ruled that Mr. Adamov must first face charges in U.S. courts, where he has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to transfer stolen money and securities, conspiracy to defraud the United States, money laundering and tax evasion.

Mr. Adamov, who has accepted extradition to his native land, has 30 days to file an appeal with the Swiss supreme court. Mr. Adamov's lawyer, Stefan Wehrenberg, told The Associated Press the Russian was still deliberating whether to appeal.

If the Swiss ruling is upheld, Mr. Adamov will be tried in Pittsburgh along with Mark M. Kaushansky, 53, of Monroeville, a former Westinghouse Electric Corp. nuclear power plant engineer.

In 2001, the anti-corruption committee of Russia's State Duma, or lower house of parliament, accused Mr. Adamov of illegally setting up companies inside and outside Russia, including a consulting firm called Omeka registered in Monroeville.