Lawyers of the bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange want to block the testimony of Ukrainian users

The lawyers of the former head of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange Сем Бенкман-Фрід" href="https://noworries.news/biography/sem-benkman-frid/" data-bio-id="3697">Sam Bankman-Fried are trying to prevent the platform’s Ukrainian client from being able to testify remotely during the trial.

According to the lawyers, the request of the US Department of Justice for remote participation in the trial of the platform’s alleged client should be rejected. «The proposed testimony, which is unique to this witness, will obviously relate to the hardships and particular circumstances created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine,» the judge’s letter reads.

Benkman-Fried's representatives emphasized that the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution gives him the right to confront the witness against him.

The Justice Department asked the court to allow the Ukrainian user to testify remotely, as he «has unique circumstances that make international travel more than problematic.»

As a reminder, Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested on December 12, 2022, in the Bahamas at the request of the US government. The court later released him on bail of $ 250 million. Bankman-Fried faces up to 140 years in prison for all his fraud. In February 2023, the FTX founder was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Thus, the number of crimes incriminated to him increased from 8 to 12.