ATHENS – The Criminal Section of Greece’s Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to the extradition to France of alleged bitcoin operator Alexander Vinnik and suspected Georgian crime boss Lasha “The Fat” Shushanashvili.

The supreme court justices agreed to a request for the extradition of the alleged operator of the former cryptocurrency exchange Btc-e from France, the third country to request Vinnik’s extradition on charges of using his electronic platform to launder millions of euros extracted via cyberattacks and demands for ransom.

For Shushanashvili, the supreme court agreed to his extradition to face charges of theft. For the other charges against him (concealing stolen goods, participating in a criminal organisation and money-laundering), the supreme court ordered an investigation by the Thessaloniki public prosecutor’s office to determine whether such offences have been committed in Greece.

Based on the court’s decision, France is obliged to transfer the suspect back to Greece when this is requested by Greek authorities.