Spain detains man who helped Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith enter North Korea

Spanish police arrested AC for helping Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith travel to North Korea in violation of U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported on December 1.

Local authorities reportedly discovered that Alejandro Cao de Benos had been in Barcelona under a false identity and had planned to travel to Madrid by train. Police arrested Cao de Benos at a Madrid train station on November 30.

Cao de Benos was released without conditions after appearing before a High Court judge on December 1. Extradition proceedings are reportedly pending, but the United States must formalize the extradition request and submit documentation.

The defendant claimed that he would not be extradited, but Write to X:

“There will be no repatriation. The US accusations are not only false, they do not exist in Spain. Thank you for all your messages and for the good treatment and personal support from (Spanish police).”

Cao de Benos noted that a special order was issued under former US President Donald Trump. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Cao de Benos and other individuals in April 2022 after Trump’s presidency ended, but the FBI poster shows indictments have been ongoing since as early as January.

Organized meetings and travel arrangements charged.

Virgil Griffith visited North Korea in April 2019 to attend a cryptocurrency and blockchain conference. He was arrested in November of that year. U.S. authorities said that in addition to violating sanctions, Griffith provided information that could help North Korea evade sanctions and engage in money laundering. Griffith was found guilty in 2021 and sentenced in 2022. He is currently in prison.

The DOJ alleges that Cao de Benos worked with an American businessman named Christopher Emms through the Korea Friendship Association to help organize the blockchain conference that Griffith attended.

Moreover, Cao de Benos and Emms reportedly recruited Griffith and arranged for him to travel to the country. The DOJ also said Cao de Benos told Griffith that North Korea would conceal Griffith’s travel by not stamping his passport. After the meeting, Cao de Benos and Emms allegedly collaborated with Griffith on other blockchain work related to North Korea.

Cao De Benos and Emms are each charged with conspiracy to violate and evade U.S. sanctions, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.