The arrest in France of the Russian basketball player, charged with cyber attacks against US

Russian basketball player Danil Kasatkin, who plays host for the UKA team- MAI in Moscow, has been arrested in France and has risked up to 25 years in prison after charges of involvement in a series of cyber attacks against the United States.

According to Russian agency RIA Novosti, Kasatkin, 26, allegedly involved in a network of Russian hackers who committed fraud against about 900 American companies, including two federal institutions, during the 20202022 period.

However, the player denies any connection to this group and claims his computer has been hackered, using the true authors to commit crimes under his name.

Kasatkin was banned on June 21st at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, just landed in the French capital, where he had planned to propose his girlfriend's marriage, Express reports, broadcast. Periscope.

The arrest was carried out at the request of the American authorities, who immediately requested his extradition.

The French court approved this Wednesday the United States' request for extradition, but the decision could be filed within ten days.

The final word for his surrender will be French prime minister.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry and the Russian Basketball Federation have started contacts with French authorities to help the player and to seek clarity on the charges.

If convicted, Kasatkin could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, in a case that has taken international proportions and has opened debate on cyber security and Russian citizens' involvement in attacks of this kind. /Periscope/