Brazilian authorities have rejected a request from the United States to extradite Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, an alleged Russian spy, stating that he will be sent to Russia instead. Cherkasov is accused of spying on Americans under a false identity in the lead up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s statement, Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court approved Russia’s application for Cherkasov’s extradition on March 17, based on accusations of “drug trafficking.” Russia’s request preceded the extradition request from the US.
Cherkasov allegedly entered the US in 2018, posing as a graduate school student in Washington, DC, to carry out his espionage activities. He used the alias Victor Muller Ferreira, which he had established while in Brazil. When he returned to Brazil in 2022, he was arrested by Brazilian authorities for identity theft and fraud.
While the extradition request from Russia has been approved, Cherkasov will first serve his jail term in Brazil for his forgery conviction. He was sentenced by a Brazilian court in July 2022 to 15 years in prison for fraud, which was later reduced to five years and two months on appeal.
The Biden administration has been seeking high-value Russian nationals who could potentially be exchanged for the release of two Americans—Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan—whom the White House believes are wrongfully detained by Russia.
The US Department of Justice has accused Cherkasov of working for Russia’s military intelligence service, and it is possible that he could become a candidate for a prisoner swap with Russia if he were to be held in US custody.