According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Alexander Vinnik, a former operator of the BTC-e exchange, has admitted to a conspiracy to launder money. This admission of guilt comes over six years following his arrest in Greece on July 25, 2017. BTC-e’s Vinnik Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering The Department of […]
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US May Consider Alexander Vinnik for Prisoner Exchange With Russia, Lawyer Says
Crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik may be a candidate for prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. That’s according to a statement by one of his lawyers for Russian media. The latest court hearing in Vinnik’s case has been postponed.
Russian Accused of Laundering Billions Through Crypto May Return Home, According to Lawyer
A lawyer for Alexander Vinnik, alleged operator of the infamous cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, believes that his client may be considered for an exchange of prisoners between the United States and the Russian Federation.
David Rizk, who represents Vinnik in the U.S., commented on Vinnik’s potential return home in an interview with the RIA Novosti news agency, quoted by other Russian media and crypto news outlets. “I wouldn’t rule out that possibility,” he said.
The Russian IT specialist has been in U.S. custody since August, last year, when he was extradited from Greece. American authorities accuse him of laundering at least billion through the now-defunct coin trading platform. If found guilty, the 43-year-old Russian faces up to 55 years in prison.
Alexander Vinnik was arrested while on vacation in Thessaloniki in 2017. Athens approved an extradition request filed by the United States but handed him over to France first, in December 2019, where he served a five-year sentence for money laundering before he was returned to Greece. French and Greek authorities have ignored Russia’s extradition requests.
In September, 2022, another member of Vinnik’s defense team, French lawyer Frederic Belot, urged the government in Moscow to add its citizen to a possible prisoner swap deal with Washington. In October, he also called on the Russian Patriarch Kirill to help “save” the crypto entrepreneur, whose health has been deteriorating after time spent in solitary confinement and a hunger strike.
In December, Russian media reported that Alexander Vinnik has applied for release on bail citing the delay of his trial. Last week, a scheduled court hearing via video call was postponed until Feb. 24 “due to confusion with the schedule in the prison” where he is held, according to the RIA Novosti report.
Do you think Alexander Vinnik will be exchanged for U.S. citizens in Russian custody? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below.
Greek Council of State Upholds Justice Minister’s Decision on Vinnik Extradition
The post Greek Council of State Upholds Justice Minister’s Decision on Vinnik Extradition appeared first on DCEBrief.
Greek Admin Court Blocks Decision to Extradite Vinnik to France
The post Greek Admin Court Blocks Decision to Extradite Vinnik to France appeared first on DCEBrief.
Greek Justice Minister Reportedly Signs Order to Extradite Vinnik to France
The post Greek Justice Minister Reportedly Signs Order to Extradite Vinnik to France appeared first on DCEBrief.
U.S. Seeks Court Judgment Against BTC-e Exchange and Alexander Vinnik
The post U.S. Seeks Court Judgment Against BTC-e Exchange and Alexander Vinnik appeared first on DCEBrief.
Alleged BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik Seeks Extradition to Russia
Alleged bitcoin launderer Alexander Vinnik, who is wanted by several countries, has filed in Greece for extradition to Russia.
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Alleged Bitcoin Fraudster Alexander Vinnik Appeals for Extradition to Russia
n Former operator of the BTC-e crypto exchange Alexander Vinnik has appealed with a Greek court for his release or extradition to Russian
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Russian Official Seeks Extradition of Alleged Bitcoin Fraudster Alexander Vinnik
n Russias Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova has asked the Greek Ministry of Justice to extradite Alexander Vinnik to Russia due to his deteriorating healthn
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