NEW YORK: After being released from a US prison recently, Russian national Alexander Vinnik is now on his way to Russia via Turkey, his lawy...
NEW YORK: After being released from a US prison recently, Russian national Alexander Vinnik is now on his way to Russia via Turkey, his lawyer Arkady Bukh told TASS.
"We have received updated information on the whereabouts of our client, Mr. Vinnik. We have been told that our client arrived in Turkey by plane and took another flight to Russia. He is expected to arrive at a Moscow-area airport in a few hours," he said. "Besides, we can confirm that a recent hearing on Mr. Vinnik’s case was held at a US federal court. However, the judge ruled to classify the files, so we cannot comment on the case or the proceedings," the lawyer added.
Bukh explained that Vinnik’s name "has been removed from the database of the correctional facility where he was kept." "When that happens, it usually means that an inmate has been handed over to US federal marshals. In this case, we know that the process involved an international handover. Notably, the transfer of persons under federal jurisdiction - both inside the US and during international extraditions and deportations - involves high security and secrecy. All the routes, flight plans and destinations are kept strictly secret. This is done to ensure the security of detainees and the law enforcement officers accompanying them," the lawyer added.
Vinnik’s French lawyer Frederic Belot told TASS earlier that the US Department of State had confirmed the Russian’s release.
Vinnik was detained in Greece on July 25, 2017, at the request of the United States, where he is accused of laundering $4-9 bln through the now defunct crypto exchange BTC-e. He was extradited to the United States on August 4, 2022.
-News Feed
COMMENTS