Key Insights
- Tornado Cash developer convicted of money laundering in the Netherlands, has been denied bail during his appeal process, potentially extending his jail time by a year or more.
- Pertsev’s legal team is facing challenges in preparing for the appeal, including denial of computer access in prison, raising concerns about fair trial conditions.
AMSTERDAM (MarketsXplora) – Alexey Pertsev, the Tornado Cash developer convicted on money laundering charges in the Netherlands, has been denied bail while appealing his sentence, potentially extending his time behind bars by a year or more, his legal team said on Friday.
Pertsev, sentenced to five years and four months in prison by a three-judge panel, had sought release on bail to prepare for his appeal at home with internet access. The s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal, where Pertsev’s legal team filed the appeal, rejected the bail request.
“This decision came as a surprise,” Pertsev’s defense lawyer told MarketsXplora, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Adding to Pertsev’s challenges, prison authorities have denied him access to a computer to assist in preparing his defense, according to a report by DL News.
The case has drawn significant attention in the cryptocurrency community, with advocates arguing that prosecuting developers for third-party use of their software could have far-reaching implications for blockchain development.
“This is a gross miscarriage of justice. Developers do not belong in jail for the actions of third parties,” stated a social media post from JusticeDAO, an organization raising funds for the legal defense of Tornado Cash developers.
Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixing protocol, has been at the center of controversy. While supporters claim it protects privacy on the Ethereum blockchain, prosecutors argue that the developers either knowingly assisted or failed to prevent illicit use of the platform for money laundering.
Pertsev’s case is part of a broader crackdown on Tornado Cash developers. In the United States, co-founder Roman Storm faces ongoing legal proceedings, while another co-founder, Roman Semenov, remains at large.