Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov has been arrested in India and sent to judicial custody by the Duty Magistrate at Patiala House Court, New Delhi, pending extradition to the United States.
New Delhi, March 15, 2025 – Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national wanted by the United States, for allegedly operating a $96 billion cryptocurrency exchange that facilitated money laundering for terrorist organizations, drug traffickers, and cybercriminals.
The arrest took place on March 12, 2025, in Varkala, Kerala, in a joint operation by the Kerala Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Besciokov was apprehended at a homestay just hours before his planned departure from India.
US Extradition Request and Legal Proceedings
Following a formal request from the United States, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) secured a provisional arrest warrant against Besciokov under the Extradition Act, 1962. The CBI’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) then coordinated with local authorities to execute the arrest.
After his detention, Besciokov was transported to New Delhi and produced before the Duty Magistrate at Patiala House Court on March 15, 2025. The Union of India, represented by its counsel, sought judicial custody under Section 35B of the Extradition Act, 1962.
Judicial Custody and Defense Representation
The accused was represented by a legal team (Legum Attorney) consisting of Advocates Amit Attri, Ashish Panday, and Ajay Singh. After hearing the arguments, the Duty Magistrate granted three days of judicial custody.
International Implications and Future Proceedings
Besciokov’s arrest marks a significant development in global law enforcement cooperation, highlighting India’s commitment to combating financial crimes and cyber threats. Law enforcement agencies are expected to present further evidence in upcoming hearings, which will determine the next steps in the extradition process to the US.
The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the global cryptocurrency industry and could set a legal precedent for future extradition cases involving financial crimes.
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