Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin was detained in France at the request of the United States — AFP

Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin was detained in France at the request of the United States. The American authorities accuse him of involvement in a hacker group.

According to the AFP news agency, the athlete faces extradition to The United States. There he is considered a member of a hacker criminal community that carried out attacks using ransomware.

The agency clarifies that the Russian was detained on June 21, but it became known only now. The case became resonant after a meeting of the French court was held on July 9, at which it was decided to keep Kasatkin in custody.

The article reports that Kasatkin was arrested immediately upon arrival in France, at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The athlete came to the French capital with his bride, intending to propose to her.

During his detention, he learned that the United States was seeking his extradition, considering the basketball player to be a member of a hacker group that attacked hundreds of companies, including two federal institutions, from 2020 to 2022.

Daniel himself denied all charges. His lawyers point out that the defendant simply does not have the skills in this area. The defense asked to release Kasatkin, pointing out that there are no conditions in custody to maintain athletic fitness.

The athlete was in great danger — in case of his extradition to the USA (which is almost inevitable) Kasatkin is waiting for a long time and the end of his sports career.

Many commentators believe that in this way Washington decided to get even with Moscow for the case of American basketball player Brittney Griner.

As reported by EADaily, this athlete received in Russia has a prison sentence for transporting hashish oil. Subsequently, she became a participant in one of the Russian-American prisoner exchanges.