MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russian national Alexander Vinnik said he remained unaware about his pending release from a US prison and return to Russia until the last moment.
"No," he said on Rossiya-1 television when asked if he knew about the plan to free him. "They don't tell you anything: Where we are flying to or why."
Vinnik said he feels fine.
"I do not yet realize that I am home. The children missed me. They have grown up during that time. Now I need to come to my senses," he said.
Upon his arrival to Russia, Vinnik was treated to tea with lemon and pies stuffed with either cabbage, meat or onions.
Vinnik returned to Russia under an agreement between the two nations. He was detained in Greece in 2017 at the request of the US, where authorities accused him of laundering $4 billion to $9 billion through the now-defunct crypto exchange BTC-e. He was extradited to the US in August 2022.
Vinnik’s mother, Vera, told TASS that her son is now slowly adjusting to normal life. He has already talked with his kids and even taken them to school despite his delayed arrival.
Shortly before Vinnik’s release, US national Marc Fogel returned to his home country. He had been convicted in Russia on drug smuggling charges. The Kremlin said that the prisoner swap represented a step toward enhancing mutual trust between Moscow and Washington.