Russian media were informed by his French lawyer that the U.S. has withdrawn its request to exonerate Alexander Vinnik, an alleged French operator of BTC-e crypto exchange BTC.e. Vinnik’s defense suspects, however, that the move is intended to actually speed up his extradition through Greece.
Lawyer: Washington wants Vinnik to remain in Prison
According to Frederic Belot who defends Alexander Vinnik in French courts, the United States withdrew their request to exile Alexander Vinnik from France in 2020. He was sentenced in Russia for money laundering and has now served five years of his prison sentence.
Vinnik’s international defense team has been trying to secure his release but France is more likely to send him back to Greece, where he was arrested in the summer of 2017 on a warrant from American prosecutors who accuse him of laundering at least $4 billion through the infamous cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e.
This week, Belot told RBC Crypto that the French prosecutor’s office has resumed the process on the U.S. extradition request on July 1, 2022 in order to prevent the release of the Russian. He believes its withdrawal is a “deceitful maneuver,” intended to ensure that Vinnik stays behind bars until he is returned to Greece.
Before sending him to France, the Greek authorities had granted an extradition request from the United States. This means that his return to Greece could actually accelerate his transfer to America. The next hearing in Vinnik’s case was rescheduled from Sept. 7 to Aug. 3, Belot also noted. The Russian national will continue to be held in French prison until then.
Belot added that during the hearings at the Investigative Chamber of the court in Paris, Vinnik’s lawyers again reminded the French judicial authorities that the Russian Federation had also sent an extradition request to France, and much earlier than the U.S. one.
Alexander Vinnik of Russia was indicted for stealing 13 million dollars ($750 million). Alexander Vinnik has said that he wishes to return to Russia. In 2020, he was extradited by Greek authorities to France. He is also being accused of identity theft.
What do you think Vinnik might be given to the United States in the future? Comment below to share your views.
Image creditShutterstock. Pixabay. Wiki Commons. An Mazhor.
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