The US Department of Justice has announced the detention of Ruslan Astamirov, a 20-year-old native of Chechnya, who has already been charged with conspiracy to commit attacks using the LockBit ransomware program on American and foreign companies.
"[This is] an indictment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to intentionally damage protected computers and transmit ransom demands," the Justice Department said. In total, Ruslan faces up to 25 years in prison.
"From at least August 2020 through March 2023, Astamirov may have participated in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and intentionally damage protected computers, as well as to make ransom demands through the use and deployment of ransomware," the US Department of Justice added.