russia tries to help a cryptocurrency fraudster extradited to the United States

the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, has demanded a phone conversation with Alexander Vinnik, the former co-owner of the BTC-e exchange extradited to the United States.

The head of the consular section of the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Nadezhda Shumova, said that the agency intends to provide Vinnik with the necessary legal assistance. «The US authorities informed Russian diplomats that Vinnik is being held in the Santa Rita prison in Alameda County, California. We are seeking a telephone conversation with our compatriot and will provide him with the necessary consular and legal assistance. The Embassy continues to closely monitor the situation,» Shumova said.

Last Thursday, Oleksandr Vynnyk was extradited from France via Greece to the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice said that Vinnik is accused of laundering between $ 4 billion and $ 9 billion through the BTC-e cryptocurrency exchange. Vinnik himself denies all charges.

As a reminder, the US court decided not to release Vinnik on bail. The fraudster faces up to 50 years in prison for money laundering and participation in cryptocurrency fraud.