Former operator of now-shuttered crypto exchange BTC-e, Russian national Alexander Vinnik, has appealed with a Greek court for his release or extradition to Russia, native media outlet Kathimerini reported on March 21.
Vinnik — who is suspect of fraud and laundering the maximum amount as $4 billion in Bitcoin (BTC) over the course of six years — has reportedly filed an appeal with Piraeus court for his release or surrender to Russia for humanitarian reasons.
Prior to that, Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova asked each the UN high commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and Greek Justice Minister Michalis Kalogirou to assist extradite Vinnik to Russia. The petition was lodged in reference to Vinnik’s deteriorating health following a fasting he started last November.
At the time, Moskalkova stressed that Vinnik’s wife was seriously unwell and is on the brink of death. The Commissioner said then:
"Given the extraordinary humanitarian scenario, i might ask for help extraditing him [Vinnik] to Russia so he might be nearer to his family."
Moskalkova put together sent letters to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer, the Greek Health Minister Andreas Xanthos, and additionally the Greek ombudsman, Andreas Pottakis, asking to supply Vinnik with medical help following the fast.
Apart from Russia, French authorities conjointly sought Vinnik’s surrender to France in respect to a further series of fraud allegations. France suspect Vinnik of “defraud[ing] over 100 individuals in six French cities between 2016 and 2018.”
In late Feb, the Russian Supreme Court included the illicit use of cryptocurrencies within the list of criminal offences related to money laundering. The amendments were reportedly developed so as to suits recommendations from the international monetary Action Task Force on money laundering.
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