U.S. Agrees to Release Imprisoned Russian Alexander Vinnik in Prisoner Swap
Washington, D.C. (Feb. 14, 2024) – The U.S. government has agreed to release Russian national Alexander Vinnik, who is currently incarcerated in the United States on charges of cryptocurrency money laundering.
A White House official confirmed media reports of the prisoner swap, but it was initially unclear whether Vinnik had already been released or if his release was still pending. When asked if U.S. authorities had released or would release Vinnik from custody, the official from President Donald Trump’s administration responded with a simple "yes."
The decision comes after the Russian government released Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen, from prison and announced that a Russian citizen had been released in the United States in return. However, the Russian government stated that it would not disclose the identity of the released individual until they had returned to Russia, according to government spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Vinnik pleaded guilty in May 2024 to operating the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e from 2011 to 2017 and laundering billions of dollars in the process, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He has been imprisoned since 2017, first in Greece, then in France, and since 2022 in the United States.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Trump, arranged for Fogel’s release from prison in Moscow and accompanied him back to the United States. Trump personally greeted the 63-year-old upon his return.
Fogel had worked as a teacher at a U.S. school in Moscow. He was arrested in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison the following year for drug smuggling. Marijuana and cannabis oil were found in his luggage during a customs check at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
Witkoff’s trip to Russia marked the first visit by a high-ranking U.S. official since November 2021, shortly before the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both sides interpreted the event as a sign that agreements between the two countries might be possible again after years of strained relations. The new U.S. administration under President Trump has vowed to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.
Background on Alexander Vinnik
Alexander Vinnik is a Russian national who was arrested in Greece in 2017 and extradited to the United States in 2022. He is accused of operating the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, which allegedly laundered billions of dollars in cryptocurrency between 2011 and 2017. Vinnik has denied the charges and claims to have been framed.
Background on Marc Fogel
Marc Fogel is a U.S. citizen who was arrested in Moscow in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling. Fogel, who worked as a teacher at a U.S. school in Moscow, was found to have marijuana and cannabis oil in his luggage during a customs check at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
Significance of the Prisoner Swap
The prisoner swap between the United States and Russia is a significant development in the relationship between the two countries. It suggests that both sides are willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation, even amidst ongoing tensions. The release of two individuals who had been imprisoned for years is a positive step and could potentially pave the way for further agreements in the future.
