Russian national Alexander Vinnik has been ruled to be sent to France in connections to crimes related to Bitcoin. Vinnik is suspected to be the mastermind behind the BTC-e bitcoin exchange, a high-profile exchange that was preferred by criminals. The court that ruled him to go to France was a lower Greek court in Thessaloniki, which contradicted an earlier ruling. Previously, the Greek Supreme Court had ruled that Vinnik should be sent to America, where an indictment of him is ongoing.
Russia’s Response
Russia, a country known for its diplomatic tact, was rather candid when assessing the situation. Regarding Vinnick’s potential extradition, the Russian Foreign Ministry had this to say. According to them, sending Vinnick to France would “continue to complicate [Greece’s] relations with Russia” and that Russia wouldn’t “leave these actions unanswered.” Well, that sounds ominous and threatening.
Mt Gox, BTC-e and Vinnik
American prosecutors have connected Vinnik to the criminal bitcoin exchange BTC-e. In their indictment of him, they stated this. “BTC-e was an international money-laundering scheme that, by virtue of its business model, catered to criminals and to cybercriminals in particular.” They elaborated, “Through VINNIK’s efforts, BTC-e emerged as one of the principal means by which cybercriminals around the world laundered the proceeds of their illicit activity. BTC-e facilitated crimes, including computer hacking and ransomware, fraud, identity theft, tax-refund fraud schemes, public corruption, and drug trafficking.”
Vinnik has also been connected by prosecutors in the theft of bitcoin from the exchange Mt Gox. Mt Gox, a Japan-based bitcoin exchange, was one of the most popular exchanges early in the currency’s history. However, following the theft, the exchange went into a downward spiral and eventually went under. If Vinnik is connected to that case, his involvement would solve a long-standing injustice in the bitcoin community.
Vinnik’s Fate
Where Vinnik will ultimately be sent is up to the Greek minister of justice. Vinnik will either be sent to America, France, or back to Russia, depending on what the minister thinks is the best course of action. The country he is sent to will likely have huge repercussions in the ongoing case against him.
Feature Image Credit: CBS News
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