A Dutch court ruled today that Alexey Pertsev, Tornado Cash developer, must stay in prison while appealing a money laundering conviction. The Court of Appeal in ‘s-Hertogenbosch denied his bail request, despite his claim he isn’t a flight risk.
Pertsev, found guilty of laundering $2.2 billion, has been in custody for two months without computer or internet access. His lawyers argued he needs these tools to prepare his defense due to the complex DeFi technical aspects of the case involving smart contracts, relayers, and protocol governance. However, the court and prison authorities denied the request, citing safety concerns.
Critics argue the case sets a dangerous precedent for open-source developers, potentially holding them liable for how their software is used. Pertsev’s lawyers claim his detention violates the European Convention on Human Rights ensuring a fair trial. Despite this, the court remains firm, complicating his defense preparation.
This case highlights significant implications for the crypto industry and developers, marking a critical moment in legal accountability for open-source software.
