Moscow, Feb 13 (EFE).- Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, convicted in the United States for money laundering, has been freed as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia, his lawyer said on Thursday.
“I have received confirmation from the (US) State Department. He is free,” his French lawyer Frederic Belo told the Russian TASS news agency.
Belo added that Vinnik was transferred from Santa Rita Jail in California to Russia.
Vinnik was arrested in July 2017 while on vacation in Greece.
He was accused of laundering between $4 billion and $9 billion through the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange BTC-E.
Greece later extradited him to the US.
During his detention in Greece, Vinnik staged several hunger strikes and requested house arrest, citing health concerns.
US authorities accused him of laundering more than $4 billion and convicted him in absentia while he awaited extradition.
Meanwhile, French prosecutors charged him with extortion and fraud.
Russia also sought his extradition from Greece, but its request was denied.
In May 2024, Vinnik pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea agreement with US prosecutors. EFE
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