US charges John Hanick of 'violating Crimea sanctions'
Sanctions on Russia extend to US citizens, who could face decades in jail for cooperating with Russian businessmen.
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Konstantin Malofeyev, chairman of the board of directors of the Tsargrad media group in Moscow, Russia September 16, 2021 (Reuters)
US prosecutors charged American produces John Hanick for violating Crimea-related sanctions for working as a television producer for Konstantin Mlofeyev, a Russian businessman who is behind the cable television network Tsargrad and faced a US designation.
"JOHN HANICK, a/k/a 'Jack Hanick,' a United States citizen, is charged with violations of United States sanctions and false statements in connection with his years-long work for the sanctioned Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev," the Justice Department said in a press release.
According to the release, Hanick has been in custody since February 3, when he was arrested in London, and the Briton authorities will extradite him to the United States.
Washington had designated Malofeyev in December 2014 under Crimea-related sanctions, the release said.
Hanick could face up to 20 years in prison, the DoJ said.