Russian Consulate in NYC to Seek Access to Extradited Hacking Suspect

Vladimir Drinkman is one of four Russians accused of stealing the details of 160 million bank cards, what is described as the largest hacking scheme to be tried in the United States.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Consulate General in New York is planning to meet with suspected Russian hacker, Vladimir Drinkman, who was extradited earlier on Friday to the United States from the Netherlands, as soon as all formalities have been settled.

"We have been notified about this incident. We are waiting for a formal notification from US authorities to act," a spokesperson at the consulate told RIA Novosti on Friday, adding that diplomats would then be able to demand access to the arrested man.

Drinkman is one of four Russians accused of stealing the details of 160 million bank cards, what is described as the largest hacking scheme to be tried in the United States. It allegedly cost the banks' clients more than $300 million.

Drinkman's attorney in New Jersey, Bart Stapert, told RIA Novosti on Friday his defendant was on a plane to the United States. He will be arraigned next Tuesday.

In June 2012, Drinkman was arrested in the Netherlands at the request of the United States. He faces decades behind bars if convicted.

Other suspects in the case are Russians Alexander Kalinin, Roman Kotov and Dmitry Smilianets, and Ukrainian Mikhail Rytikov.