Greek court decides to extradite Russian cybercrime suspect

A Greek court has ruled to extradite Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik to the United States, where he is wanted in connection with a $4 billion bitcoin fraud case.

The three panel of judges backed the U.S. extradition request for Vinnik, who was arrested while on holiday in Thessaloniki in July.

The 37-year-old has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, and was expected to do so later Wednesday.

Russia is also seeking Vinnik’s extradition on separate fraud charges, but no date has yet been set for that hearing.

American authorities have accused Vinnik of running digital currency exchange BTC-e and of involvement in laundering money from criminal proceeds.

Speaking during Wednesday’s hearing, Vinnik denied anything to do with the digital platform he is accused of running to commit the bitcoin fraud. He said he was merely a technician and the platform was one of his clients.

“I have nothing to do with what I am accused of,” he told the judges.