Crypto pioneer Chris Emms released from Saudi Arabia

After 8 months in Saudi Arabia, Christopher Emms has finally won his extradition battle.

British national Chris Emms has been released from his travel ban in Saudi Arabia, following intensive efforts by Radha Stirling, CEO of Due Process International; and the continuous support of the British government. “We are relieved that the Saudi authorities ultimately rejected the American extradition request, which has no sound legal basis; and we deeply appreciate British intervention in this case, and the cooperation established with the Saudis,” Stirling said in a statement today.

Emms is a crypto-technology pioneer bizarrely accused by the United States of violating American sanctions against North Korea for his participation in a 2018 conference in Pyongyang. Upon his release from Saudi Arabia, Chris embarked for Russia, fearing that the UK would likely acquiesce to the extradition request if he returned home. Although he would seek to defend an extradition on the basis of a lack of dual criminality and would likely win, it is clear that the UK is impotent against US pressure with looming trade deals in negotiation.