US May Consider Alexander Vinnik for Prisoner Exchange With Russia, Lawyer Says – Bitcoin News
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The United States may consider a prisoner exchange with Russia involving the alleged Russian bitcoin money launderer Alexander Vinnik, according to his lawyer.
Vinnik is currently in custody in Greece, where he has been since 2017. He is wanted in three countries — Russia, the United States and France — on a variety of charges including money laundering and fraud.
The lawyer, Timofei Musatov, told the Russian news agency Interfax that the U.S. is considering a prisoner exchange that would involve Vinnik. He said the exchange would involve Vinnik being sent to Russia in exchange for an American citizen.
“The American side has put forward a proposal to exchange Vinnik for an American citizen currently held in a Russian prison,” Musatov said.
Vinnik is accused of running a bitcoin exchange called BTC-e, which he allegedly used to launder billions of dollars in bitcoin. He has denied the charges, and his lawyers have argued that he is not guilty of the crimes he is accused of.
The U.S. has been seeking Vinnik’s extradition since 2017, but the Greek courts have so far refused to comply. Musatov said that the U.S. is now considering a prisoner exchange as an alternative.
The U.S. has not yet commented on the reports, but if the exchange does go ahead, it would be the first time the U.S. has exchanged a prisoner with Russia since the Cold War.
The exchange could be a sign of improved relations between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years. It could also be seen as a sign of the U.S.’s willingness to negotiate with Russia on matters of mutual interest.
However, it is not clear whether the exchange will go ahead. Musatov said he was unaware of any progress on the matter, and the U.S. has yet to comment on the reports.
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