US Prosecutors have filed charges against two Europeans for allegedly collaborating with recently convicted Former Ethereum engineer Virgil Griffith to use cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology to help North Korea avoid US sanctions. According to a news release issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) on April 25, 2022, Alejandro Cao de Benos of Spain, and Christopher Emms of UK, created the Korean Friendship Association in 2018. Later, in North Korea, they organised the 2019 Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference.
Griffith, a U.S. citizen, was recruited by both Cao de Benos and Emms to speak at the Bitcoin conference in April 2019. According to the prosecution, Emms informed Griffith that his passport would not be stamped in order to prevent U.S. officials from learning about his trip to the DPRK.
The two European suspects are charged with “conspiring to violate and dodge US sanctions” under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A charge like this carries a potential punishment of 20 years in jail.
It is suspected that Christopher Emms “obtained a rare full approval” from North Korea to allow the Ethereum developer to attend the conference. Emms and Griffith also allegedly taught their North Korean audience how to utilise cryptocurrencies to get away from US restrictions.
In a statement released by the Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olson said:
“The United States will not allow the North Korean regime to use cryptocurrency to evade global sanctions designed to thwart its goals of nuclear proliferation and regional destabilisation. This indictment, along with the successful prosecution of co-conspirator Virgil Griffith, makes clear that the Department will hold anyone, wherever located, accountable for conspiring with North Korea to violate U.S. sanctions.”
While Cao de Benos and Emms are getting investigated. Griffith, who was apprehended by US officials in 2019 after returning from North Korea, was recently sentenced to 63 months in jail (5 years and 3 months) and a $100,000 fine.
Read more:
- Ex-Ethereum developer Griffith faces 63 month jail after giving lecture in North Korea
- DOJ begins legal proceedings against Europeans Over North Korean Sanctions Violations
