Having served his five-year jail sentence in France, Russian IT and crypto specialist Alexander Vinnik is now dealing with a return to Greece and potential extradition to the US. A French cassation courtroom has lately dismissed an enchantment filed by his protection in opposition to the switch.
US Extradition Continues to Hang-out BTC-e’s Alexander Vinnik
The alleged operator of the notorious BTC-e change, Alexander Vinnik, is as soon as once more below risk of extradition to the US. The Russian’s worldwide protection group remains to be making an attempt to safe his launch however the French judiciary appears inclined to ship him again to Greece, the place he was arrested.
In December 2020, Vinnik was sentenced to 5 years in jail for cash laundering in France the place he was extradited by Greece. In the summertime of 2017, Vinnik was apprehended within the Greek metropolis of Thessaloniki the place he arrived on trip together with his household.
The Russian nationwide has served his French sentence in full, considering his pre-trial detention and parole guidelines. Formally, he can now be allowed to go to Russia, the place authorities have additionally sought his extradition on separate fees. He has previously expressed his will to return to his dwelling nation.
Nonetheless, France now intends at hand him over to Greece, after an enchantment filed by his protection — comprising authorized specialists from Russia, France, and Greece — was rejected final month. Frederic Belot, the French lawyer representing Vinnik, informed the Russian enterprise day by day Kommersant:
On Tuesday, June 28, with none motive or justification, the Courtroom of Cassation issued a call dismissing the enchantment. This was an sudden and surprising resolution.
Alexander Vinnik is now more likely to be transferred again to Greece after which to the US, since Greek authorities have already granted the U.S. request for extradition earlier than sending him to France. The legal professionals managed to cease the quick switch with one other enchantment and have additionally sought assist from the European Courtroom of Human Rights.
American prosecutors imagine Vinnik has laundered not less than $4 billion by means of the now defunct crypto change BTC-e. U.S. investigators additionally suspect Vinnik of collaborating with Russian intelligence, alleging that a part of the digital cash that handed by means of the crypto buying and selling platform might’ve been used to finance Russia’s safety forces.
What do you assume would be the destiny of Alexander Vinnik? Share your ideas on the case within the feedback part beneath.
Picture Credit: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, Alexandros Michailidis
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely. It’s not a direct supply or solicitation of a suggestion to purchase or promote, or a advice or endorsement of any merchandise, companies, or corporations. Bitcoin.com doesn’t present funding, tax, authorized, or accounting recommendation. Neither the corporate nor the creator is accountable, instantly or not directly, for any harm or loss triggered or alleged to be attributable to or in reference to using or reliance on any content material, items or companies talked about on this article.
