Crypto crime figure Alexander Vinnik exchanged for detained U.S. teacher

The United States has agreed to release Russian national Alexander Vinnik, an alleged cybercrime figure, as part of an exchange of prisoners who obtained freedom from the American teacher Marc Fogel.

Vinnik, 44, exploited BTC-E, once one of the greatest exchanges of cryptocurrency in the world. He was arrested in Greece in 2017 at the request of Washington suspected of laundering of $ 4 billion on the platform, according to in Reuters

In May 2024, Vinnik guilty For a conspiracy to commit money laundering and risks up to 20 years in prison.

Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania history teacher, was detained In Russia, in August 2021, for trying to enter the country with about half of medical marijuana, prescribed in the United States for chronic pain.

In June 2022, he was found guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in a Russian criminal colony. After vast diplomatic negotiations, Fogel was released and returned to the United States on February 11.

Donald Trump’s involvement

The exchange was facilitated by the special envoy of President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, with Saudi Arabia playing a role in the finalization of the exchange. President Trump welcomed Fogel to the White House on his return, express optimism that development could have a positive impact on current negotiations to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the exchange, declaring that the identity of the Russian citizen released by the United States would be disclosed upon his return to Russia. Exchange is considered a potential step towards building mutual trust between the two nations in the midst of increased tensions.