French Police Arrest Russian Basketball Player Amid Ransomware Allegations: Report

French authorities have arrested a Russian professional basketball player for allegedly being involved in a ransomware group, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Daniil Kasatkin plays for MBA Moscow, part of the VTB United League, which primarily features Russian teams along with one from Belarus and Kazakhstan. He previously had a short tenure at Penn State during the 2018-2019 season.

As reported by AFP, U.S. officials believe that Kasatkin has participated in ransomware hacking activities. His apprehension occurred at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on June 21.

Kasatkin’s attorney, Frederic Belot, informed AFP that his client is innocent.

“He bought a second-hand computer. He has committed no wrongdoing. He’s in disbelief,” Belot told AFP.

“He’s not tech-savvy. He can’t even install an app. He never accessed that computer. It was likely either compromised or sold to him by someone pretending to be someone else.”