A suspected Russian intelligence agent, extradited from Estonia to the US and specifically accused of smuggling, was remanded in custody on US soil on Friday as Washington calls for a prisoner swap with Moscow.
Vadim Konoshchenok is accused by the American judiciary of playing a central role in a group that illegally supplied Russia with sensitive electronic components and ammunition through shell companies.
He faces a 30-year prison sentence in the US for criminal association, violation of export restrictions, money laundering and smuggling.
He is accused of “providing Russia with advanced American technologies and munitions intended for its illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Andrew Adams, director of the KleptoCapture team, which reports to the Justice Department.
Mr Konoshchenok was arrested by Estonian authorities at the request of the United States in 2022 after he tried to cross the Estonian-Russian border in possession of American semiconductors and munitions, according to the indictment.
The US Department of Justice announced in December indictments against him, four other Russian nationals and two Americans accused of working for companies “run by Russian intelligence”.
According to US authorities, more than 450 kg of ammunition were seized in connection with this case.
Mr Konoshchenok’s extradition to the United States comes as Washington seeks to negotiate the release of several American nationals detained in Russia, including Paul Whelan, a former Marine Corps corporal, and journalist Evan Gershkovich, both accused of espionage.
Washington denies these allegations and is working on negotiations for their release. “I’m serious about a prisoner swap,” said Joe Biden from Finland on Thursday.
AFP
“I am committed to doing everything in our power to free Americans illegally detained in Russia or elsewhere,” he added, adding that steps are “underway.”
In December, American basketball player Brittney Griner, arrested in Russia on charges of cannabis trafficking, was released against Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer captured in the United States.
Likewise, in April 2022, former US Marine Trevor Reed, who had been sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for acts of violence he denied, secured his release against that of a Russian pilot, Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been in prison since 2010 on drug abuse charges the United States was detained in human trafficking related to the FARC.