France has opted for diplomacy over extradition in a case that blends cybercrime allegations, international politics, and a high-profile prisoner exchange.
A Russian national accused by the United States of participating in ransomware attacks has been released by French authorities and sent back to Russia, avoiding a transfer to U.S. custody despite earlier court approval.
Key takeaways:
France declined to extradite a Russian national to the United States despite court approval
The release was carried out through a prisoner exchange with Russia
U.S. authorities had accused the suspect of ransomware-related cybercrime
The case highlights how geopolitics can override judicial processes
Extradition Halted, Swap Takes Place
The individual at the center of the case is Daniil Kasatkin, a professional basketball player arrested in Paris in June 2025 at the request of U.S. authorities. Washington accused Kasatkin of involvement in a hacking scheme that targeted companies, encrypted their data, and demanded cryptocurrency payments. Investigators alleged the attacks were carried out using devices or internet connections linked to him.
Although a French court approved his extradition in October, the final step required executive sign-off. That approval never came. Instead, the French government chose a different route: a negotiated exchange with Moscow.
According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, Kasatkin was returned to Russia on January 8, 2026, in exchange for Laurent Vinatier, a French national who had been detained and convicted in Russia on charges related to collecting sensitive military information. Vinatier, who worked with a Swiss-based humanitarian organization, had previously been labeled a “foreign agent” under Russian law.
Disputed Evidence and Legal Friction
Throughout the proceedings, Kasatkin denied any involvement in cybercrime. His legal team argued that U.S. prosecutors failed to provide direct evidence tying him to the attacks and missed procedural deadlines required under French law. They also maintained that the alleged crimes occurred after Kasatkin had sold the computer cited by investigators.
Despite those objections, the extradition request was upheld by the courts — underscoring that the ultimate outcome hinged not on legal arguments alone, but on political discretion.
Echoes of a High-Profile Precedent
The exchange quickly drew comparisons to the 2022 release of Brittney Griner, who was freed from a Russian prison in a swap involving arms dealer Viktor Bout. Russian lawmakers openly referenced that case, suggesting Kasatkin’s release could be viewed as a delayed counterbalance.
While officials in Moscow welcomed the athlete’s return, some framed the situation as another example of Western accusations lacking substantiation — a claim U.S. authorities strongly dispute.
A Political Resolution, Not a Judicial One
Kasatkin now faces no charges in France or the United States, at least for the moment, and has resumed life in Russia. The case highlights how accusations involving cybercrime and cryptocurrency can quickly spill into the realm of geopolitics, where legal processes are ultimately shaped by diplomatic leverage.
Rather than setting a legal precedent, the episode reinforces a familiar reality: in sensitive international cases, courtroom decisions can be overtaken by state-to-state negotiations — with detainees becoming bargaining chips in a much larger game.
