US charges Russians extradited from Bulgaria with money laundering

US authorities have charged Russians Sergey Ivin and Oleg Olshansky, who were recently extradited from Bulgaria, with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violations of US sanctions, according to RIA Novosti, citing court documents.

The charges allege that from approximately May 2017 to May 2021, Ivin and Olshansky, together with others, knowingly violated US sanctions and related regulations.

The investigation claims the two encouraged US citizens to receive or transfer funds for sanctioned individuals and organisations and to participate in transactions in violation of US law.

Additionally, the indictment states that the defendants, along with others, deliberately attempted to transport, transmit, and transfer financial assets and instruments out of the United States and through other countries to circumvent American regulations.

Olshansky and Ivin were arrested on December 19. Consular officials visited them in a Sofia detention facility, maintained contact with them and their lawyers, and attended court hearings. Following approval by a Bulgarian court, the two were extradited to the United States on March 26.