Moscow: Russian national Alexander Vinnik is headed to Moscow after being released as part of a prisoner swap between the US and Russia, which also involved an American teacher, Vinnik’s lawyer said Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Vinnik’s lawyer, Arkady Bukh, informed state news agency TASS that they have received an update on the whereabouts and status of Mr. Vinnik. His arrival at the Moscow airport is expected in the next few hours. Bukh mentioned that Vinnik arrived by plane in Trkiye, from where he was sent on another flight to the Russian capital.

Vinnik was initially taken into custody in Greece in 2017 at Washington’s request on charges of cryptocurrency fraud. He was later convicted by a court in France, where he was extradited in 2020 on money laundering charges and sentenced to five years in prison. In addition, Vinnik pleaded guilty before a US court last May for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The prisoner exchange between Russia and the US, confirmed on Wednesday, involved the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021, in return for Vinnik.