Aleksej Besciokov Extradition: Patiala House Court Seeks Status Report on Aleksej Besciokov’s Extradition Request
New Delhi, March 18, 2025 – The Patiala House Court in New Delhi held an extradition hearing for Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national facing charges of money laundering and violation of international sanctions in connection with the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. The court directed the Union of India to file a status report on the extradition request by the next scheduled hearing date.
Besciokov, who was arrested on March 12, 2025, in Varkala, Kerala, in a joint operation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Police, is currently in judicial custody. His extradition has been sought by the United States, which alleges that he operated a $96 billion cryptocurrency platform that facilitated illicit financial transactions for terrorist organizations, drug traffickers, and cybercriminals.
Following a request from the U.S.A, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) obtained a provisional arrest warrant under the Extradition Act, 1962, leading to Besciokov’s detention. The case is being closely monitored, given its implications for international financial crime enforcement and extradition laws.
Besciokov is represented by Advocate Ashish Panday (Legum Attorney).
