The defense of Russian Alexander Vinnik, accused by the US authorities of laundering $9 billion through the once largest Russian-language exchange BTC-e, has begun negotiations. Lawyers are trying to convince the investigation that the client admits guilt.

Lawyer Arkady Bukh said that the consideration of the Russian’s case on the merits, originally scheduled for February, has been postponed to September. And the next meeting is scheduled for May 3 in San Francisco.

According to the lawyer, active negotiations are currently underway between the defense of the accused and US law enforcement agencies, which could positively affect the outcome of the case and even the final verdict. The defense hopes to conclude a plea deal and thereby avoid the “subjective opinion of the jury”:

“We are negotiating a plea deal. We are interested in getting the best offer from the US authorities.”

The agreement with the investigation gives Vinnik hope for a more modest term of imprisonment and will allow him not to play the jury lottery, losing which promises a much more severe punishment. US courts very rarely deny defendants the voluntary right to confess guilt. However, there is no direct relationship between entering into a plea bargain and easing punishment in the American Constitution and judicial law.

Alexander Vinnik was detained in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the request of the United States, where he is accused of laundering up to $9 billion through BTC-e, which closed in 2017. Vinnik was extradited to the United States on August 4, 2022.