Russian professional basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, 26, was arrested on June 21, 2025, at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, marking a dramatic twist in the athlete’s life.
The arrest, conducted at the request of U.S. authorities, came as Kasatkin arrived in France with his fiancée, shortly after proposing to her.
Until recently, Kasatkin played for the Moscow team MBA-MAI, with a record of 172 matches and two Russian Cup bronze medals to his name.
The news of his detention quickly reverberated through the sports community, especially after his club announced his departure on July 3, ending a four-year tenure.
Kasatkin’s arrest is rooted in allegations that he participated in a sophisticated ransomware network.
According to U.S. authorities, the group is suspected of having targeted nearly 900 companies, including two federal institutions, between 2020 and 2022.
The damages resulting from these cyberattacks have not been disclosed, but the scale of the operation has drawn international attention.
Accusations of Cybercrime
Placed under extradition custody since June 23, Kasatkin faces serious accusations from the American justice system.
He is alleged to have negotiated ransom payments as part of the hacking network, resulting in a U.S. arrest warrant for “conspiracy to commit computer fraud” and “computer fraud conspiracy.”
The network is believed to have deployed ransomware to extort payments from its victims, a tactic that has become increasingly common in global cybercrime.
Kasatkin, who previously studied in the United States, has firmly denied all allegations.
During a hearing in Paris on July 8, his lawyer, Frédéric Bélot, described him as “stunned” by the accusations, emphasizing that Kasatkin “bought a second-hand computer” and “did absolutely nothing.”
Bélot claimed his client lacked the technical skills to participate in such crimes, stating, “He’s useless with computers and can’t even install an application.”
The defense suggested that the computer may have been compromised or sold to Kasatkin as a cover for another individual’s activities.
- Kasatkin’s lawyer argued he had no technical expertise, saying he couldn’t even install an app.
- The defense claimed the computer in question was second-hand and possibly compromised before Kasatkin bought it.
- It was suggested that Kasatkin may have unknowingly become a scapegoat, with the real hacker using him as cover.
Detention Conditions and Impact on Career
Kasatkin’s legal team has argued vigorously for his release, citing the detrimental impact of detention on his physical condition and professional prospects.
Bélot highlighted that the basketball player has no chair in his cell, nor access to a gym or sports field, circumstances that risk “seriously compromising the rest of his career.”
Kasatkin himself reported a drop in weight from 95 kg to 89 kg since his incarceration, raising concerns about his ability to maintain his athletic performance.
Beyond the physical toll, Kasatkin expressed fears for his safety in prison, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
His legal representatives proposed judicial supervision and bail as alternatives to continued detention, but these requests were denied by the court.
The case has sparked debate over the intersection of international law enforcement, cybercrime, and the rights of foreign nationals facing extradition.
As proceedings continue, the fate of Daniil Kasatkin remains uncertain, with both his career and personal freedom hanging in the balance.
Find this Story Interesting! Follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X to Get More Instant updates
