Alexander Vinnik, the alleged proprietor and operator of the notorious cryptocurrency change BTC-e, has been discovered not eligible for launch on bail in america, the place he was not too long ago transferred from Greece. The Russian, accused of large-scale cash laundering by way of the now-defunct buying and selling platform, and different crimes, rejects U.S. fees.
Alexander Vinnik Stays in California Jail, Russian Embassy Gives Assist
Authorities in america have successfully denied launch on bail for the IT specialist Alexander Vinnik, Russian media reported, quoting his file on the web site of the Santa Rita Jail in California the place he’s incarcerated. Vinnik has been in the U.S. since his hasty extradition from Greece somewhat greater than every week in the past, which angered his worldwide protection crew.
The crypto entrepreneur was arrested on a U.S. warrant in the summer season of 2017, in the Greek metropolis of Thessaloniki the place he arrived on a household trip. Greece first despatched him to France in late 2019, the place he served a five-year sentence for cash laundering. In July, U.S. authorities withdrew a request to get him from France, thus dashing up his switch by way of Greece, which had already accredited his extradition to america.
His legal professionals protested towards the choice to shortly hand him over to American authorities, stating that he had utilized for asylum in Greece after beforehand warning that in the U.S. Vinnik is more likely to develop into a “hostage” of the geopolitical conflict surrounding the continued army battle in NATO-supported Ukraine, which was invaded by Russian forces in February.
The knowledge offered by the jail’s on-line inmate locator doesn’t point out whether or not the bail choice was made on the listening to on Friday, Aug. 5, when Vinnik appeared in a federal courtroom in San Francisco, or if the decide has not but thought of the matter. A standing verify returns the quick message “Can’t be launched on bail (NO BAIL).”
Russian Pleads ‘Not Responsible’ to Crimes Alleged by US Prosecutors
In the course of the first listening to, Alexander Vinnik declared his innocence and pleaded not responsible, based on a report by the Tass information company, quoting a spokesperson for the courtroom. The subsequent listening to has been scheduled for Aug. 15.
In accordance with the indictment, quoted by the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) in final week’s announcement of his extradition, BTC-e processed transactions from a variety of crimes, such because the Mt Gox hack, ransomware scams, and drug commerce. The Russian is now going through a number of counts of cash laundering for greater than $four billion, amongst different fees.
In one other report this week, Tass revealed that the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington was nonetheless in search of contact with Vinnik over the telephone. Nadezhda Shumova, who heads the mission’s Consular Division has been quoted as stating that Russian diplomats intend to offer all of the wanted consular and authorized help to their compatriot.
Each Greece and France have ignored extradition requests filed by Russia, the place he’s accused of embezzlement of over 600,000 rubles (lower than $10,000 at present change charges) and “fraud in the sphere of pc info” for 750 million rubles ($12 million). Vinnik himself has in the previous expressed his will to return to his homeland and face justice there. That appears unlikely, nonetheless. An accusation not talked about by the DOJ is that he collaborated with Russian intelligence.
Do you assume Alexander Vinnik will probably be sentenced for cash laundering in america? Share your expectations in regards to the trial in the feedback part under.
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