US DOJ seeks extradition of Aleksej Besciokov over money laundering and sanctions violations.
CBI Confirms Arrest of Crypto Suspect Requested by DOJ
Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen and administrator of Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, at the request of the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed that Besciokov was detained in Kerala on Tuesday under a provisional arrest warrant.
Garantex’s Alleged Criminal Operations
According to the DOJ, Garantex processed over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019, allegedly facilitating crimes like hacking, ransomware, drug trafficking, and terrorism financing. The exchange was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022, but Besciokov and other administrators reportedly redesigned its operations to evade restrictions.
US Seeks Extradition for Prosecution
Besciokov is wanted in the US for charges including money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. His extradition process will be determined by Indian courts.
Joint International Crackdown on Crypto Crimes
The US, Germany, and Finland recently dismantled Garantex’s online infrastructure, marking a significant step in the crackdown on crypto-based financial crimes. Besciokov’s arrest follows similar charges against Garantex’s Russian co-founder, Aleksandr Mira Serda.
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