Virgil Griffith asks the court to dismiss the US government claim

Former Ethereum Foundation developer Virgil Griffith filed a motion to deviate the US government law on charges of violating the act on emergency economic measures (Eep).

Recall, that in November last year Virgil Griffith (Virgil Griffith) He was arrested for presentation in North Korea. The American authorities claim, that during the presentation, Griffith provided the government of North Korea with technical information about that, how can you use blockchain and cryptocurrencies to launder money and get away from economic sanctions, Closed by Congress and the President of the United States. In December, Griffith was released on bail in $1 million.

In his application, Griffith claims, that the prosecutor's office of the Southern District of New York could not properly give facts, proving a political crime. According to the developer, In his speech, he provided only generalized information about the blockchain, which is in the public domain. Moreover, Griffith did not receive material rewards for participating in the conference and did not conclude any agreements as a consultant, Therefore, it cannot be said, that he provided services to the authorities of North Korea.

The petition also indicates, that Griffith's speech falls under the exceptional conditions of the US law on economic powers in case of emergency, created by an external threat. These conditions relate to the spread of information and information materials. Griffith protection claims, that if his performance cannot be called "information", then we are talking about the lack of grounds for the trial.

Previously, the co -founder of the Ethereum Vitalik Buterin supported Griffith, Having recommended the US government to focus on real corruption, not to pursue programmers, providing public information.