A member of the protection crew of the alleged BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik has known as on the pinnacle of the Russian Orthodox Church to intervene in assist of his consumer. The Russian nationwide could also be sentenced to over 50 years in jail for his function within the notorious cryptocurrency trade.
Prisoner Swap for Individuals in Russian Custody Is Vinnik’s Solely Probability to Return Dwelling, Lawyer Says
Frederic Belot, the French lawyer who has been representing Russian crypto entrepreneur and alleged cash launderer Alexander Vinnik in courts for years, has written to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with a request to assist for his consumer’s return to the homeland.
“The Vinnik case for america isn’t a authorized, however a political trial,” the legal professional mentioned within the letter, quoted by the Russian Tass information company. Within the U.S., he could face imprisonment for greater than 50 years, Belot warned and emphasised:
Now the one factor that may save Alexander is his trade, amongst different Russians, for Americans imprisoned in Russia.
Belot referred to the instances of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. This isn’t the primary time he’s suggesting this resolution. In early September, the lawyer urged Moscow to incorporate Vinnik in talks over a possible prisoner swap with Washington, highlighting Vinnik’s poor well being after spending time in solitary confinement in France and a starvation strike in Greece.
In his deal with to Kirill, Frederic Belot identified that Vinnik is a “deeply believing Orthodox Christian” and added that “believing that the reality will prevail ultimately helped him endure loneliness, separation from his household, the dying of his spouse, and the monstrous injustice on the a part of the authorities of a number of international locations.”
The French protection lawyer additionally turned consideration to the violations of Vinnik’s rights after his detention in Greece and extradition to France, after which to america. The Russian was arrested whereas on trip in Thessaloniki in July 2017 on a warrant issued by the U.S., the place he’s accused of laundering between $4 and $9 billion by way of the now-defunct BTC-e.
In December 2019, Greek authorities handed him over to France the place a yr later he was sentenced to 5 years in jail for cash laundering. In early August, after serving his French sentence, Vinnik was returned to Greece which instantly transferred him to the U.S.
All through these years, Russia has additionally sought his extradition on costs of embezzlement and “fraud within the discipline of laptop info” for a complete of over $12 million however Moscow’s requests weren’t granted. Vinnik himself, who’s suspected of getting collaborated with Russian intelligence, has beforehand acknowledged his will to seem earlier than a Russian court docket.
Do you anticipate Alexander Vinnik to be exchanged as a part of a prisoner swap deal between Russia and america? Share your ideas on the case within the feedback part under.
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