Judge extends probe into Catalonia crypto deal after reading two-year-old story
A Spanish court has extended a probe into Russia’s alleged involvement in Catalonia’s independence plans after the presiding judge was anonymously sent a two-year-old news report that revealed the name of the Russian diplomat supposedly involved. Nikolau Sadovnikov was named in the article published back in May 2022 by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The article detailed the relationship between Sadovnikov and Catalonia’s former regional leader Carles Puigdemont, and a supposed deal between the two that saw Sadovnikov promise $500 billion and 10,000 Russian soldiers to aid Catalonia’s independence efforts. In return, Sadovnikov requested that Catalonia loosen its laws on crypto and become the virtual currency equivalent of Switzerland. He also wanted the region to refrain from criticizing Russia for its treatment of opponents. No firm commitments were reportedly made. Despite this promise, it appears Puigdemont only ever received...