Alleged BTC-e Bitcoin Fraudster Alexander Vinnik Seeks Extradition to Russia

Mark Emem
Updated
Alexander Vinnik, alleged to have laundered billions of dollars as a bitcoin exchange operator wants to go home. | Source: Shutterstock
Alexander Vinnik, alleged to have laundered billions of dollars as a bitcoin exchange operator wants to go home. | Source: Shutterstock

One of the operators of BTC-e cryptocurrency exchange and leading suspect in multi-billion money laundering scandal, Alexander Vinnik, is seeking to be extradited to Russia from Greece rather than to the United States or France.

According to Greek publication Kathimerini, Vinnik filed an appeal with a court in the port city of Piraeus seeking to be released or extradited to his home country. The Russian national who has been on a hunger strike for three months cited humanitarian reasons in his plea.

Alexander Vinnik
Alexander Vinnik

Alexander Vinnik, in frail condition following hunger strike. Photo shown by his lawyers at a press conference in Athens, Greece. | Source: Associated Press

Per his lawyers Vinnik’s life is endangered. Besides claiming that the charges he is facing are unfounded, his lawyers also argue that he has been held for longer than the law allows. Vinnik was arrested nearly two years ago in Greece while on vacation.

Alexander Vinnik, the Russian Sought by Elite U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies

This was at the behest of U.S. law enforcement agencies including Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN):

FinCEN acted in coordination with law enforcement’s seizure of BTC-e and Vinnik’s arrest. The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the criminal investigation.

Read the full story on CCN.com.