US Could Look at Alexander Vinnik for Exchange with Russia, Legal Representative Stipulates
An attorney for Alexander Vinnik, the alleged operator of BTC-e’s notorious crypto exchange, believes that his client could be considered for a prisoner swap between the United States and the Russian Federation. David Rizk, who represents Vinnik in the US, made remarks on Vinnik’s potential return home in an interview with the RIA Novosti news agency, reported by various Russian media and crypto news outlets, saying “I wouldn’t rule out that possibility.”
The IT specialist from Russia has been in US custody since August 1996. Though he authorized an extradition request from the US, he was first handed over to France in his last year in Greece. American authorities accuse him, amongst other things, of laundering at least $4 billion through the now-defunct trading platform. If convicted, the 43-year-old Russian faces up to 55 years in prison.
Alexander Vinnik was arrested while on a vacation in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2017. While France and Greece have ignored Russia’s extradition requests, in September last year, another member of Vinnik’s legal team, French lawyer Frederic Belot, called on Moscow authorities to include its citizen in a possible prisoner exchange with Washington. In October, he was also called on by Russian patriarch Kirill to help “save” the crypto-entrepreneur, whose health has deteriorated after being held in isolation and deprivation.
In December, Russian media reported that Alexander Vinnik had applied for bail due to the lag in his trial. Last week, the hearing of a court by video call was postponed to allow for more time on February 24 “due to a mix-up with the prison schedule” where he is being held, according to the RIA Novosti report.
