Prominent Ethereum developer, Federico Carrone, has confirmed his return to Europe following a 24-hour period in Turkish custody.
According to Carrone, his detainment stemmed from allegations made by Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, accusing him of facilitating the “misuse of
Carrone clarified that the situation is related to a research paper he co-authored back in January of 2022, focusing on user privacy aspects within the Ethereum network and exploring Tornado Cash. He emphasized, “Our work never assisted anyone in conducting unlawful activities; it was strictly academic research into mixers and their characteristics.”
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He recounted that the initial hours in custody were unsettling, as he was informed of the imminent confiscation of his phone and the severing of all external communication. He expressed gratitude for the rapid support received from contacts spanning the UAE, UK, US, Europe, Argentina, and even figures within the Catholic Church.
Despite his release, the legal proceedings remain ongoing. A Turkish legal professional is actively providing counsel, and Carrone has expressed his dedication to achieving a resolution. He stated:
The complete circumstances surrounding this event and its underlying motivations are still unclear. However, we are assembling a top-tier legal team to ensure a satisfactory outcome.
Following his release, Carrone publicly announced a donation of $500,000 in Ethereum towards Storm’s legal defense fund. He indicated that this contribution is intended to demonstrate the community’s commitment to supporting developers engaged in cutting-edge technologies when confronted with legal challenges.
The Ethereum Foundation has also committed to matching up to $500,000 in new donations directed at assisting Storm’s legal representation. Learn more about the Ethereum Foundation’s commitment, including insights from co-executive director Wei Wang, by reading the complete report.