Alleged Russian agent pleads not responsible to smuggling US expertise, weapons Russia-Ukraine battle information

An alleged Russian intelligence officer has pleaded not responsible in america Alleged violation of sanctionsUS Export Management and Smuggling for Cash Laundering US-made electronics and munitions to Russia to help fight against Ukraine.

Russian citizen Vadim Konoshchenok, He was extradited from Estonia to the United States on Thursdayfiled the plea throughout a listening to in federal courtroom in Brooklyn, New York on Friday.

U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Ramon Reiss ordered Knoshchenko to be held pending trial after prosecutors known as him a flight danger.

Sabrina Shroff, Konoshchenko’s U.S.-based lawyer, declined to remark, and the Russian Embassy in Washington didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Konoshchenok, 48, was detained by Estonian authorities in October 2022 after attempting to cross into Russia with 35 kinds of semiconductors and digital elements, a few of which had been topic to US export controls. He was additionally accused of smuggling American-made ammunition usually used for sniper rifles, in accordance with the fees filed towards him.

“Konoshchnouk has been repeatedly stopped by Estonian border officers attempting to smuggle lots of of 1000’s of American-made and export-controlled rounds into Russia, together with 6.5mm, 7mm, .338 and .308 Magnum. Contains rounds, that are normally utilized by snipers. , in addition to military-grade .223 rounds,” the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Jap District of New York said in a statement.

“So far, over half a ton [450kg] “Navy-grade ammunition linked to Konoshchanok has been seized or intercepted earlier than being smuggled into Russia,” the assertion added.

Konoshchenok was allegedly the central determine in a seven-person smuggling ring, together with 5 Russians and two Individuals who operated “below the route of Russian intelligence providers” to acquire American electronics and different items restricted by US export controls. are

He has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for conspiracy, export management violations, smuggling and cash laundering.

Andrew Adams of the US Division of Justice mentioned Konoshchenko “allegedly supplied Russia with superior applied sciences and munitions for use by Russia in an unlawful and unprovoked assault on Ukraine”.

In keeping with prosecutors, the suspect advised his co-conspirators in digital communications that he charged a ten p.c payment for dealing in managed substances.

“Cannot do much less.” Sanctions,” he wrote, in accordance with prosecutors.

Alternate of prisoners

Konoshchenko’s extradition to america comes as Washington tries to barter Return of American citizens organized by Moscow.

They embody Paul Whelan, a company safety official convicted in a Russian courtroom of espionage, and Wall Road Journal reporter Ivan Grishkovich, who’s dealing with espionage prices.

The US denies that both was concerned in espionage, however has been in talks to see if they are often swapped for the Russians who maintain it.

Final December, Washington traded Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, who was jailed in Russia months earlier on drug prices, for American basketball star Brittany Griner.

In April 2022, Russia freed Trevor Reed, a former Marine who had been imprisoned two years earlier for assaulting Russian cops.

On the identical time, america freed a Russian pilot who was imprisoned for drug trafficking.

The USA additionally homes Alexander Vanek, a Russian cash launderer who was extradited from Greece final yr, and Vladimir Donov, a malware and ransomware hacker who was extradited from South Korea in 2021.

And Washington is searching for the extradition from Brazil of Sergei Cherkasov, an alleged Russian spy who attended graduate college in Washington below deep cowl.

Konoshchenko’s prosecution comes as US authorities search to impose export controls and sanctions designed to cease Moscow’s battle in Ukraine.

His subsequent scheduled courtroom look is July 31.