Russian Diamond Miner Jailed For High Treason Over Crypto Transfers To Ukrainian Forces

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Russian Diamond Miner Jailed For High Treason Over Crypto Transfers To Ukrainian Forces

A Russian diamond miner was convicted and sentenced to seven years in a St. Petersburg maximum-security prison. He allegedly used cryptocurrency to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Federal Security Service (FSB) charged him with high treason, claiming he harmed Russia’s national security.

The man, born in 1988, lived in the Mirninsky District of Yakutia. He worked at a diamond mining company. According to the FSB, he transferred money to a Ukrainian military unit using cryptocurrency several times. The FSB accuses this unit of financing reconnaissance and subversive operations against Russia.

The FSB said that a Ukrainian military unit contacted the man through social media. Ukrainian officers reportedly gave him elaborate guidance on conducting Bitcoin transactions to designated wallets belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

FSB Accuses Man Of Treason For Crypto Transfers

The FSB accused the man, according to Art. 275 of the Criminal Code of Russia, which concerns acts of treason. This includes rendering financial assets to a foreign state or an organization involved in activities considered unfriendly to Russia. The offense attracts serious penalties, including long-term imprisonment.

In her statement, the FSB spokesperson said that the actions of the convict represent an attempt to ‘join a terrorist organization.’ He also said that the funds he transferred were spent towards activities that posed a risk to Russian interests.

This is not the first arrest in Russia connected with Ukraine’s alleged cryptocurrency financing. Last week, FSB officers arrested a man in Yenakiieve of the Donetsk region on the same charges. The man was also accused of transferring funds to Ukrainian electronic wallets.

In recent years, the FSB has prosecuted several people for using cryptocurrencies to support Ukraine. Those charged include a Moscow-based scientist and two residents of Khabarovsk Krai in Russia’s Far East. In all these cases, the suspects were apprehended for high treason and moved funds through decentralized finance.

Cryptocurrency has played a crucial role since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. The Ukrainian military has received millions of dollars from individual top-rated patrons and numerous low-key crowdfunding initiatives through authorized crypto charity portals.

On the other hand, Russian security agencies have increased monitoring and scrutiny of financial activities construed as supporting Ukraine. Silencing crypto donations is part of the efforts to prevent anyone in Russia from supporting Ukraine.

The case shows that cryptocurrencies can serve in contemporary wars as tools that help Internet users escape conventional rules and regulations. It also outlines for Russia the government’s overarching worries with internal opposition and using new technologies to undermine authority.

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