2024-05-17
Developer Alexey Pertsev, known for his work on Tornado Cash, has lodged an appeal against his conviction on money laundering charges in the Netherlands.
The spokesperson for the s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal confirmed the filing of the appeal, but it remains unclear if it has been granted. The actual hearing could be months away.
We reached out to Pertsev's legal team for their input but have yet to receive a response.
Following his involvement in facilitating $1.2 billion in money laundering through the crypto mixer between July 2019 and August 2022, Pertsev was sentenced to 64 months in prison by a Dutch court.
He was immediately taken into custody, although he may request to await the appeal trial from home.
Tornado Cash is a decentralized protocol created to enhance transaction privacy on the Ethereum blockchain, enabling users to conduct anonymous transfers.
While private financial transactions themselves are not inherently illegal, platforms like Tornado Cash have unfortunately been exploited by some individuals for illicit money laundering activities.
Reportedly, one of the judges characterized Tornado Cash as mainly serving criminal purposes, which played a significant role in Pertsev's conviction.
Co-founder Roman Storm of Tornado Cash is also facing similar charges in the United States for his involvement in the software's development. A trial is scheduled for September.
