Russian Citizen Arrested in the USA

U.S. prosecutors have charged Yuri Gugnin, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of the payment company Evita, with evading sanctions and violating export control laws. He is accused of providing over $500 million to Russians and acquiring sensitive American technology, according to the Financial Times, referencing the U.S. Department of Justice. Gugnin has been arrested and faces charges in New York.

“Gugnin arrived in the United States and organized a money laundering scheme disguised as a cryptocurrency startup, which he then used to evade sanctions and export controls, as well as to defraud U.S. financial institutions,” said prosecutor Joseph Nocella.

In a letter to the New York judge, prosecutors noted that Gugnin “has connections with Russian and Iranian officials who could help him evade prosecution, including members of Russian intelligence services.”