All news

Attorney for Russian bitcoin suspect slams Greek court for ‘violating’ client’s rights

Vinnik was detained in Greece in 2017, at America’s request, where he is accused of laundering $4-9 bln through the now non-existent BTC-e cryptocurrency trading platform

ATHENS, November 19. /TASS/. Judges of the Greek Supreme Court (Areopag) have blatantly breached the rights of Russian national Alexander Vinnik, his attorney Zoe Konstantopoulou told a court session on Monday, where an appeal against the ruling of the [Thessaloniki] court of first instance on the suspect’s extradition to France, is being considered.

"You have violated the rights of Alexander Vinnik, who hasn’t received an official translation of the French request by November 17," Konstantopoulou added, pointing out that "those documents haven’t been translated into Russian, they have no seals and signatures." "You only employ this practice towards Vinnik because he is a Russian. You wouldn’t do this with any Greek, or EU citizen," the attorney stated, demanding that it be recorded in the minutes.

Vinnik was detained in Greece on July 25, 2017, at America’s request, where he is accused of laundering $4-9 bln through the now non-existent BTC-e cryptocurrency trading platform. Russia has sought the individual’s extradition, while France sent a similar request in June. Furthermore, Greece is pressing criminal charges against the Russian citizen.

In 2017, the Greek Supreme Court ruled to extradite Vinnik to the US and, later on, to Russia. Due to the conflicting extradition requests, the decision on Vinnik’s extradition is likely to be made by the country’s Minister of Justice or, possibly, the Greek leadership.