A Russian national accused of laundering more than USD 4 billion in cryptocurrency has asked the Kremlin to help him exchange prisoners with the United States as ties between the two countries remain tense following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A lawyer for Alexander Vinnik, who was extradited to the United States in August of last year to face money laundering accusations, asked Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, to arrange a prisoner swap that would include his client.
If found guilty, the suspected money launderer may spend up to 55 years behind bars.
