Indonesia extradites Russian accused of selling personal data on Telegram

Indonesia has extradited a Russian citizen accused of running a Telegram channel that sold personal data obtained from law enforcement databases, according to Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

Alexander Zverev was handed over to Russian authorities and boarded a flight from Bali to Moscow on Friday, local media reported. The extradition follows his arrest in Indonesia in 2022.

Russian authorities allege Zverev operated an unnamed criminal network between 2018 and 2021 that profited from selling sensitive personal information sourced from databases belonging to Russia’s Interior Ministry (MVD), Federal Security Service (FSB) and mobile phone operators. 

Through the Telegram channel, subscribers could allegedly purchase details about Russian citizens, including private information. Authorities have not disclosed the name of the channel or whether it is still operating.

Russia says Zverev had been on the run and was placed on an international wanted list in March 2022. A Russian court had previously ordered his arrest in absentia.

“The Indonesian government has decided to hand over the individual to Russia for further legal proceedings,” Harli Siregar, head of the Legal Information Center at Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, said on Thursday.

He added that, because Zverev is a Russian national, Jakarta had no interest in prosecuting him domestically. Zverev is accused of violating multiple provisions of Russia’s criminal code, including corruption, bribery, abuse of power, and the unlawful disclosure of information.

Earlier this week, French authorities arrested Russian professional basketball player Daniil Kasatkin at the request of the United States, which reportedly suspects him of participating in a ransomware group that targeted American companies and federal agencies. Russian diplomats said they had not yet been granted access to Kasatkin.