French Police Arrest Russian Basketball Player Over US Ransomware Allegations

Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian professional basketball player and former Penn State athlete, was arrested in France at the request of the United States on allegations of involvement in a ransomware hacking ring. U.S. authorities accuse him of negotiating ransom payments for a group that targeted about 900 companies and two federal government agencies between 2020 and 2022. Kasatkin's lawyer strongly denies the allegations, asserting that Kasatkin lacks any computer skills and likely unknowingly purchased a hacked computer that was controlled remotely by cybercriminals. Kasatkin was detained upon arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with his fiancée and has since been held in extradition custody, with concerns raised about his well-being in prison. The Russian embassy in Paris has requested consular access, highlighting delays in such access as a recurring issue. Kasatkin's basketball career is at risk due to his detention and deteriorating health conditions in jail.