WASHINGTON, August 9 (RIA Novosti) - The next hearing in the case of Roman Seleznev, a Russian national accused by the United States of cyber-fraud, will be held on August 15, a spokeswoman for Washington’s Western District attorney Emily Langley told RIA Novosti.
“The next hearing is Friday August 15 to determine if he should remain in custody pending trial,” Langley said.
Earlier on Friday, Langley told RIA Novosti that Seleznev was escorted from US island of Guam to Seattle, Washington.
According to the Western District attorney spokeswoman, Russian national has made his initial appearance in US District Court in Seattle for formal identification procedures.
Langley added, that Seleznev was “advised of the charges and penalties and he told the judge he would retain his own attorney.”
During the hearing Russian citizen was assisted by a federal public defender and an interpreter.
Russian Consul General in Seattle Andrey Yushmanov told RIA Novosti, that US authorities did not inform Russian diplomats about removing Seleznev from Guam to Seattle and that Russia will demand from the United States to provide detailed information on its further actions towards Russian national.
Seleznev was detained on July 5 at an airport in the Maldives and flown to the US island of Guam.
Seleznev’s defense asked for his release, saying that the Russian citizen was illegally detained outside US jurisdiction.
The prosecution disagreed, saying Seleznev was arrested in Guam, but did not explain how he got there from the Maldives.
Seleznev faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of bank fraud, while the other charges also carry significant sentences.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the incident an unfriendly move by the United States and a de facto kidnapping, while the government of the Maldives promised to review the legal framework leading up to Seleznev’s arrest.
