Spanish police have arrested AC who helped Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith violate US sanctions and travel to North Korea, Reuters reported on December 1.
Local authorities reportedly discovered that Alejandro Cao de Benos was in Barcelona under a false identity and planned to travel to Madrid by train. Police arrested Cao de Benos at a train station in Madrid on November 30.
Cao de Benos was released without conditions after appearing before a Supreme Court judge on December 1. An extradition process is reportedly underway, although the US must formalize its extradition request and provide documentation.
The suspect has maintained that he will not be extradited. write on X:
“There is no question of extradition. The American accusation is not only false, but also does not exist in Spain… My thanks for all your messages and the [Spanish police] for their good treatment and personal guidance.”
Cao de Benos noted that a certain order was given under former US President Donald Trump. Although the US Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Cao de Benos and another individual in April 2022 after Trump’s presidency ended, an FBI poster suggests charges were filed as early as January.
The suspect organized a conference and arranged travel
Virgil Griffith traveled to North Korea in April 2019 to participate in a crypto and blockchain conference. He was arrested in November. In addition to violating sanctions, U.S. authorities said Griffith provided information that could help North Korea evade sanctions and engage in money laundering. Griffith was convicted in 2021 and sentenced in 2022; he is currently in prison.
The DOJ alleges that Cao de Benos, through his own Korean Friendship Association and in partnership with an American businessman named Christopher Emms, helped organize the blockchain conference that Griffith attended.
Furthermore, Cao de Benos and Emms are said to have recruited Griffith and arranged for him to travel to the country. The DOJ also alleges that Cao de Benos told Griffith that North Korea would not stamp his passport, concealing Griffith’s trip. After the conference ended, Cao de Benos and Emms are said to have worked with Griffith on other North Korean blockchain efforts.
Cao De Benos and Emms have each been charged with conspiracy to violate and evade US sanctions, with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Both are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
