Summary: Alexander Vinnik, the Russian operator of the BTC-e exchange, has reportedly been released from U.S. custody as part of a prisoner swap for American Marc Fogel. Vinnik, who had pleaded guilty to money laundering, is expected to return to Russia, while his U.S. lawyer hints at potential political changes favoring Vinnik’s situation. The U.S. government has not officially confirmed his release yet.
Affected: BTC-e cryptocurrency exchange, U.S. government, Russian citizens
Keypoints :
- Vinnik has been confirmed released by his French lawyer and Kremlin spokesman.
- He pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering linked to BTC-e’s illicit activities.
- Fogel, arrested in Russia on drug charges, returned to the U.S. and was marked as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government.
- Vinnik is required to forfeit 0 million in seized criminal proceeds as part of the exchange.
- This marks the third instance of a Russian criminal charged in the U.S. being released via prisoner swap.
Source: https://therecord.media/alexander-vinnik-reported-released-prisoner-swap-russia-us