“The mood is a belief in victory”: programmer Winnik detained in Greece hopes to return to his homeland

Russian programmer Alexander Vinnik was detained in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the request of the United States. American justice has put forward Russian charges on 21 counts, including the laundering of $ 4 billion criminally obtained through the BTC-e crypto and fiat currency exchange, cyber fraud, personal data theft, hacking of the Japanese stock exchange Mt.Gox, which provoked its bankruptcy, and participation in the trade drugs.

Extradition in the United States threatens Vinnik 55 years in prison. In addition to the United States, Russia and France put forward their extradition requirements.

- Do you believe that you will be extradited to Russia?

- I hope so.

- At home, you are also accused of fraud. Do you know what these charges are about?

- In the given question there is half the answer. They are associated with fraud. And with the details I already hope to sort out at home.

- If you are still being extradited to America, do you have a plan of action? Rumor has it that you are going to take drastic measures, that is, to settle accounts with life.

- Rumor less believe. As for the plan - we will look at the situation.

- Were you trying to recruit? If so, who and how? What pressure was put on you from the American, French side?

- There was no direct pressure applied. A psychological and indirect - the most diverse. For example, a camera without mattresses, (because of which it was necessary . - RT ) to sleep on the floor, keeping in difficult conditions, constant transportation, various psychological pressure from prisoners controlled by the administration.

- November 26, 2018 you went on a hunger strike. What is your state of health now?

- My doctors should assess the state of health, but they cannot tell me that either. I feel fine.

- Fiftieth day of hunger strike - how can you feel normal? 50 days without food!

- I can not say anything from a medical point of view. They take my tests every day, take blood, conduct research. I can tell you about my psychological state, and doctors are responsible for my physiological condition.

- What is your psychological state?

- I have one psychological attitude - faith in victory, which will mean returning to my homeland.

- Do you intend to continue the hunger strike?

- Of course, I intend to.

- Why did you start the hunger strike?

- The reason is non-observance of my rights as a prisoner, non-observance of my rights in court, as well as non-observance of my human rights.

- What do you expect from the results of the hunger strike?

- I want to draw the attention of the relevant authorities of the Greek authorities to my problem, so that they can listen to me and observe my rights. I do not demand just to send me to Russia, I demand at least my rights to observe.

- Has your attitude to the essence of the accusations by the Americans and the French changed?

- Every day I increasingly believe that this is one big falsification, in legal terms. And with a fashionable presentation - it's all high-likli, fake business.

- Who pays your lawyers? Such serious protection that was provided to you is unprecedented. Such a large number of lawyers in different countries protect your interests.

- Not everything in our time is done for money. I believe that the state pays. I do not know who pays them, if they are paid, and whether they work for money. I do not think that they work for money, this time. And, secondly, if they work for money, then they are paid, I hope, by my Russian state. But other states, of course, do not. I myself am not crying anything, because all these billions are virtual.

- What means do you and your family live on?

- I would also like to know what money they live on. In every family there are relatives who support.

- At what stage is the trial now with Sergey Maysus? What was your relationship with him and how did you cooperate?

- I never knew Maysus, I wasn’t in any relationship, not even by phone. As far as I know, the case is closed. He withdrew a lawsuit to me, about which I can say that this is a very delusional lawsuit. Another fantasy.

- Now there are three equal court decisions on extradition to you in the Russian Federation, the United States and France. How do you see further developments? What steps are still ready to take to achieve justice?

- I have hope for a (positive . - RT ) outcome. And how it will be - only God knows.

- After the activity of B TC-E was frozen by the American authorities, the WEX exchange opened with the same clients . We understand that you can’t have anything to do with this, but now the WEX has also closed. Do you have any understanding who could manage this company and why it ended so pitifully?

- I have no understanding who could manage. And why it was closed - probably miscalculations in management.

- What would you like to convey to readers RT?

- I would like to congratulate the Russians on holidays, my homeland happy New Year, Merry Christmas.