A Russian man identified as Alexander Vinnik, center, is escorted by police officers to the courthouse at the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, is wanted in the United States in a $4 billion bitcoin fraud case as Russia wants to extradite him as well on separate fraud charges. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) A panel of Greek judges has opened the extradition hearing of Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, who is wanted in the United States in a $4 billion bitcoin fraud case.
At the start of Friday's hearing in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Vinnik, 37, said he would fight the extradition
Complicating matters, Russia also wants his extradition on separate fraud charges. A panel of judges is expected to examine that request next week, which Vinnik's lawyer has said he will not challenge.
Vinnik was arrested on vacation in Greece on July 25 and detained pending the extradition hearing following a request from U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of California.
He has the right to appeal any ruling and the final decision will be taken by Greece's justice minister.
A Russian man identified as Alexander Vinnik, left, is escorted by police officers to the courthouse at the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, is wanted in the United States in a $4 billion bitcoin fraud case as Russia wants to extradite him as well on separate fraud charges. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) 
A Russian man identified as Alexander Vinnik, center, is escorted by police officers to the courthouse at the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, is wanted in the United States in a $4 billion bitcoin fraud case as Russia wants to extradite him as well on separate fraud charges. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
Explore further: Greek police see leads in money laundering suspect's phone
