Management of Russian detention center suspected of illegal cryptocurrency mining

One of the heads of the Butyrskaya prison is being investigated by the Investigative Committee for involvement in cryptocurrency transactions that were illegally carried out in the institution of the Moscow Department of the Federal Penitentiary Service.

According to law enforcement officials, in November 2021, the officer, together with unidentified persons, installed cryptocurrency mining equipment in a branch of the FSIN psychiatric hospital located in Butyrka, which operated until February this year. This consumed 8379.45 kW of electricity.

Thus, the officer could have committed «actions that are clearly beyond his authority, which significantly violated the interests of society or the state protected by law,» the investigation suspects.