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US Arrests Son of Russian MP In Maldives For Hacking

First time accepted submitter ugen (93902) writes "The son of a Russian lawmaker has been arrested by the U.S. on charges of selling credit card information he stole by hacking into the computers of American retailers. Roman Seleznev, 30, was arrested overseas by the U.S. Secret Service on July 5 and was ordered detained today during a hearing in federal court in Guam, the Justice Department said in a statement."

176 comments

  1. Guam is in the Maldives now? by Wulfstan · · Score: 2

    There's about a third of the globe between the two...

    --
    --- Nick, hard at work :->
    1. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Wulfstan · · Score: 5, Informative

      Replying to myself - as it turns out, the plot thickens:

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

      --
      --- Nick, hard at work :->
    2. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by jythie · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I think if nothing else this raises questions about where the arrest actually happened. Russian media, esp when high ranking party members are involved, is not exactly known for being accurate in its reporting.

      Setting that aside, this does cut into the larger modern question of how to deal with cyber criminals who are based out of countries hostile to the US. There has always been the question about what to do with people who commit crimes in a country then flee to one without an extradition treaty, but increasingly we are having to deal with cases where the individual is actively committing crimes against the citizens of one country while being physically located in another.

      Though that gets into some interesting and sticky territory when it comes to transnational companies and the horrors they have committed around the world... or at least it SHOULD be sticky.

    3. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by rossdee · · Score: 1

      I RTFA'd and Maldives weren't mentioned

    4. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Scutter · · Score: 1

      I've seen two different stories. 1) He was arrested in Maldives and taken to Guam, and 2) He was arrested in Guam. In any case, there's obviously enough confusion about the story that we're not getting accurate information. Given that, if he were arrested in Maldives, it's certainly possible that it was with the help of the local police and just not being reported.

      --

      "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
    5. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I just read this:

        A Russian man, indicted in the Western District of Washington for hacking into point of sale systems at retailers throughout the United States was arrested this weekend and transported to Guam for an initial appearance, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. ROMAN VALEREVICH SELEZNEV, 30, of Moscow, also known as “Track2” in the criminal carding underground, was indicted in March 2011, for operating several carding forums that engaged in the distribution of stolen credit card information. At his first appearance in Guam today, SELEZNEV was ordered detained pending a further hearing scheduled for July 22, 2014.

      here: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/07/russian-hacker-arrested-in-2010-broadway-grill-data-breach/

      as part of the announcement of the arrest.

      The "was arrested and transported to Guam" does not sound like he was "arrested" in Guam, and not mentioning where he was "arrested" sound a lot like this was actually a kidnapping.

      Just reading the headline of this story (the "arrested in Maledives") makes me sad:
      Some (many?) americans do not seem to notice (or accept?) that there are other countries outside of the US, with their own laws, their own way of life.

      Smells like war, somehow...

    6. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by rockout · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that particular article doesn't mention the Maldives. Dozens of others do identify the Maldives as the site of the arrest, most of them quoting the Russian government calling his arrest in the Maldives a kidnapping.

      http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-ac...

      --
      I've learned that they're worthless, so I don't read AC comments anymore.
    7. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's about a third of the globe between the two...

      It could be a mistake by a geographically challenged reporter. Or it may have been intentional, to make the preposterous implication that the US of A has started using so-called "extraordinary renditions" against foreign citizens on third countries' soil.

    8. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Charliemopps · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Replying to myself - as it turns out, the plot thickens:

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

      Right, the US has gone completely off the rails in recent years. "oh, this guy stole some credit card numbers... Let's kidnap him, fly him out of the country and try him in some random court outside the country! Yea! Go USA!"

      Seriously? It'd be one thing if he blew something up... but credit card fraud?

    9. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by jythie · · Score: 1

      Another piece said he was arrested at the airport, and laws regarding jurisdiction get even stranger there.

    10. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Scutter · · Score: 1

      Yes, "arrested in Maldives" is one of the two conflicting stories I mentioned. I have also seen stories that said that he was arrested in Guam. The Maldives story seems to be coming from the Russians.

      --

      "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
    11. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      The US have become fascists, and do not believe there is actually a limit to their jurisdiction.

      They can (and will) arrest you anywhere on the planet.

      They can (and will) seize your assets for copyright infringement (because, the US government is now beholden to the copyright lobby).

      They can (and will) kill you if they have to.

      They can (and will) hack into any phone system they like.

      They can (and will) prevent you from flying with no evidence, trial, or acknowledgement.

      They can (and will) demand that your private data be handed over by private corporations.

      Fuck you America. You have become hostile to the freedom and liberty of the rest of the world.

      Which means the rest of the world has ever fewer options than to become hostile to you, your liberties and freedoms.

      And yet you all sit around acting like you're the champions of truth and justice. When in fact, you're rapidly becoming a failed state that the rest of the world can't deal with any more.

      Fuck America, you suck, you are allowing your politicians to do this, and you seem to think that if it's for your illusion of security the rest of us can go piss off.

      You deserve no consideration from the rest of the world, and you deserve whatever backlash against you occurs.

      I sincerely hope the rest of the world stops buying your products, stops accepting your stupid IP laws, and in general stops giving a damn what happens within your own borders.

      Fuck America.

    12. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Rei · · Score: 2

      Interesting article on the details of what he's charged with here, with screenshots of the operation he stands accused of running.

      While the details of the arrest are still hazy, one thing is clear - they've had this guy in their sights since 2011. It's not surprising that they issued a sealed indictment for him, mind you, that's not particularly unusual for a case like this where the subject is unlikely to be extradited and would avoid your jurisdiction if the indictment was public (nor is the US in any way unique in this regard). And since I've seen others commenting about this: yes, the Secret Service is the correct body to have jurisdiction over this, as they (strangely) are in charge of enforcement against financial crimes. Back in the early days of commercially available inkjet printers, the nerdy high school/college program I went to (TAMS) once got a visit from the secret service when one of the students figured out that he could print good enough replica dollar bills on one to fool the scanner on the drink machine in the lounge. The total volume of the forgery had to be tiny, I'd be surprised if it was more than $100, but still, if you feel like getting involved in financial crime, expect the Secret Service to be looking out for you. ;)

      The scandal here would be if this was an extrajudicial "kidnapping" in the Maldives, with the US swooping up in a van, grabbing the guy, and jetting him off to Guam to use as a bargaining chip, as has been alleged by the guy's MP father. I seriously doubt all that, but we'll see where the truth lies.

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    13. Re: Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Investigating financial crimes was the original purpose of the secret service, protecting the president was added later.

    14. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Tuidjy · · Score: 1

      This is not the first time the United States does something similar, i.e. has the authorities in country A apprehend someone who is not accused of anything there, expel him from A without notifying the country of origin, and 'somehow' have US officials waiting to arrest the 'expelled' individual on 'international' ground.

      US lawyers have consistently explained that this is somehow very different from illegal extradition/kidnapping which is explicitly condemned by the UN. It only looks the same. And I very much doubt the States are the only ones doing it. The Brits and Russians have done the same.

      Is it a travesty of justice? Meh, I'm not a lawyer. Is it an example of the strong getting what they want? Hell, yeah!

      The only thing that makes this interesting is that the Russians will raise a more stench than usual, because the arrested individual is more than just a 'paysan'.

      --
      No good deed goes unpunished...
    15. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by GNious · · Score: 2

      Perhaps he was picked up in the Maldives and "escorted" to Guam, and then arrested in Guam? :)

    16. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by jratcliffe · · Score: 1

      I've got to think he was arrested/detained/etc in the Maldives. I can't imagine that he'd be stupid enough to visit Guam with a US indictment hanging over him.

    17. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the international arena the powerful might ultimately have the upper hand the less powerful are experts at playing one power off another to get what they want. The old US and Russian cold war client states decided who they wanted to buddy up with based on how much they could extort from the countries looking to count them as allies. All the so called US allies are dutifully bought and paid for but when things get complicated they end up being worthless free riders and petty back biters.

    18. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      "Actually a kidnapping"... I guess in an ideal world, nobody would ever break laws so we wouldn't need such unpleasant things as extradition treaties and such. However, we live in this reality and the situation is pretty simple. Mr. Seleznev was in Russia suing international communications media to commit crimes against American corporations and citizens. Had his activities been targeted against Russian corporations and citizens, he would still have been committing crimes; the same crimes. If Russia was unwilling to extradite him, then that makes the Russian government an accomplice to his crimes. One of the main purposes of countries having militaries is to protect their citizens and their citizen's legitimate business interests. This is because countries have decided that engaging in commerce with each other is a good thing and no country can afford to not protect its interests.

    19. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The precedent was set with "terrorism", which is nothing more than the civilian crimes of murder, attempted murder, use of explosives in a residential area without permits, etc, etc. (Politically motivated or not, it's stuff you should be bringing people before a regular court for a regular, fair, trial over. Not shipping them off to military prisons with no rights whatsoever, either civilian or military.) Now we see it's extended to financial crimes, because, don'tcha know, they too "threaten the (financial) security of the United States", according to "Law Enforcement".

      Expect this to continue and broaden exponentially, because there will be no outrage against it.

    20. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by rahvin112 · · Score: 1

      Guam IS part of the US not some random court. He's been indicted in a federal court of the US.

    21. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Either way, he stole indiscriminately from working peoples sweat. Make an example of him, "Buckwheats" and drop him in a dumpster behind some Mongolian Embassy. Let other black-hats see what awaits them when the stakes are high.

    22. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Replying to myself - as it turns out, the plot thickens:

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

      Right, the US has gone completely off the rails in recent years. "oh, this guy stole some credit card numbers... Let's kidnap him, fly him out of the country and try him in some random court outside the country! Yea! Go USA!"

      Seriously? It'd be one thing if he blew something up... but credit card fraud?

      CC fraud is a huge problem and a persistent one.

      I'd bet this guy was doing fraudulent transactions in the volume of thousands per week, if not per day.

      You may be thinking "stuff em, it's only the banks money" but you forget two things. It has a knockon effect to the rest of the economy as the fraudulently transferred money is taken out of circulation and secondly that through hidden fees like merchant service and interchange fees, eventually the banks get the money back from you.

      We aren't talking about someone who buys a TV with one stolen credit card number here. Its so big, the damage is in the hundreds of millions to billions. This would be proper, organised fraud. The kind the all western government should be cracking down on..

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    23. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by superwiz · · Score: 1

      The more interesting part is that Maldives actually agreed to it. It's the favorite tourist destination of the the Russian money. It's one of the few places that depends on Russia much more than it does on the US.

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    24. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Rei · · Score: 1

      An update today:

      A Federal Public Defender on Guam, John Gorman, has been appointed to represent him.

      Gorman told PNC News today that he was informed by federal officials that the U.S. Secret Service arranged with the Maldives Government to "detain" Seleznev as he was about to board a plane back to Moscow this past Saturday, July 5th. He said Seleznev was then flown on a charter flight here to Guam where, the Federal authorities said, the actual "arrest" was made.

      Clearer, although still ambiguous. We now know that this was done with permission in the Maldives. But who did the detaining? The Maldives Government? Secret Service officers? Both? Clearly there would be Secret Service officers on the plane to Guam.

      If I had to bet, I'd bet that it was either Maldives officers, who then walked him to the charter flight and handed him off to the Secret Service; or both Maldives and Secret Service officers confronting him together.

      I'm a little rough on my Maldives law, so I have no clue how legal / illegal this sort of activity would be in the Maldives. ;)

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    25. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Rei · · Score: 1

      That seems to be precisely what his public defender is saying today (see elsewhere in this thread). And that it was done in cooperation with the Maldives government. So it looks like if there's a scandal here it would be the Maldives government breaking their own laws (although I personally have no clue if that would be illegal in the Maldives, or even what legal grounds would have been used)

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    26. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Rei · · Score: 1

      So now that it turns out that this was done in conjunction with the Maldives government, what's your deal?

      Is it that you prefer to leave hackers and carders out there robbing people and businesses?

      I'm not the biggest fan of America (actually look forward to renouncing my citizenship as soon as I'm able), but seriously, I think you prematurely Godwinned.

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    27. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but however far off the rails the US has gone, Russia is reaping what it has sown because whilst it's crying wolf about America abducting one of it's citizens for breaking the law and carrying out crimes against US citizens and companies Russia is abducting Ukrainians for doing absolutely nothing illegal in defending their country against Russian terrorists:

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worl...

      So you'll have to excuse me if my response to Russia is "Boo fucking hoo, cry more you fascist pricks" whatever the merits or demerits of Americas actions in this case.

      Russia, recently broke a treaty regarding Ukraine's nuclear disarmament when it annexed the Ukraine so right now any complaints about America breaching treaties is small fry compared to the fascists dictatorship of Russia's actions.

      Who really gives a fuck what happens to Russian citizens? They're only getting what they deserve and reaping what they do to others.

      At least America got him for actually doing something wrong, which is a far cry from Russia's abductions of people who were doing something right - i.e. defending their country against fascist invaders.

    28. Re:Guam is in the Maldives now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I suspect it's more likely that he was kidnapped / forced to go to Guam.

      When he arrived in Guam he was arrested.

  2. Where was Maldives law enforcement? by Presto+Vivace · · Score: 2

    Surely it would have their place to make the arrest.

    1. Re:Where was Maldives law enforcement? by NatasRevol · · Score: 2

      Snorkeling.

      --
      There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
  3. Hm... by thieh · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives? Does that mean they can just go into arbitrary countries and arrest people arbitrarily?

    1. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No.

    2. Re:Hm... by khr · · Score: 2

      Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives?

      It looks like they took that power on July 5th.

    3. Re:Hm... by fnj · · Score: 1

      I believe that is what they do. I don't say "we" any more. It ain't no part of me.

      They don't even feel they have to use the magic T(errorist) or C(hild porn) words any more.

    4. Re:Hm... by mbone · · Score: 1

      In geopolitics, taking powers you do not actually have always leads to a reaction. Wait for it.

    5. Re:Hm... by Megol · · Score: 1

      Yes they can according to US law.

    6. Re:Hm... by jrumney · · Score: 2

      US probably has an agreement with Maldives.

      It's called the Kyoto protocol. US keeps promising to sign (leaving government-less Somalia as the final non-signatory) if Maldives grants them one last favor.

    7. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You are thinking of the Malvinas.

    8. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

      You are getting the Maldives and the Argentinean name for the Fakland isles, The Malvinas Mixed up.

    9. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      No it isn't. You're thinking of Islas Malvinas (the Argentine name for The Falkland Islands). The islands just off Argentina.

      As opposed to the Maldives, which are in the Indian Ocean - Arabian Sea.

      Miles apart - which also appears to be a description of geographically where your geography lessons were held and where you were when at school...

    10. Re:Hm... by r1348 · · Score: 0

      Malvinas and Maldives are different islands, and very, very far apart. Where did you study?

    11. Re:Hm... by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives?

      Since they decided to give it to themselves.

      Does that mean they can just go into arbitrary countries and arrest people arbitrarily?

      They've been sending in people to do snatch and grabs for years now. Then they send them to a 3rd country which can use 'enhanced' interrogation which would be illegal in the US.

      And then they say that anything is legal because these people are enemy combatants who don't wear uniforms, and therefore not covered under any treaties.

      Oh, and if they have to, they'll send in a drone strike in a country which hasn't authorized it, and if they happen to kill some civilians who were in the vicinity -- well, too bad that you were near someone we wanted to kill.

      Seriously, have you not been paying attention? "Team America, World Police" has been a real thing now for quite some time. This is hardly the first time they've done this.

      They simply don't care about things like sovereignty, and their own security needs trump everything.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    12. Re:Hm... by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      "Since they decided to give it to themselves."

      Citation's please. You point to no evidence they didn't have permissions or treaties with country's you seem to be an expert on snatch and grabs so please were the evidence. I know for a fact Russia government officals were blaming the USA for a missile attack when in fact it was a meteorite and you want us to believe what you say>> im not the smartest guy in the world but I know a troll when I see one.

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    13. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      He studied at a terrific British school, but he missed that day in geography class because he was out the night before watching the fireworks and celebrating Guy Fieri Day.

    14. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or he listened to the idiot currently residing in the White House: Obama then said: "And in terms of the Maldives or the Falklands, whatever your preferred term, our position on this is that we are going to remain neutral.

    15. Re:Hm... by jratcliffe · · Score: 3, Informative

      Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives? Does that mean they can just go into arbitrary countries and arrest people arbitrarily?

      Not unless the country in question authorizes it. If the Maldives didn't, then it's kidnapping. If they did, then it's deportation, and entirely kosher.

    16. Re:Hm... by Aryden · · Score: 2

      How about the killing of Bin-Laden in Pakistan without Pakistan's permission. There's a very public instance of invading a sovereign nation with military forces for the intent to capture or kill OBL. The US government does what it wishes, when it wishes to do it and lives under the belief that it is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.

    17. Re:Hm... by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      Quote"Over time it's going to be important for nations to know they will be held accountable for inactivity," he said. "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror." (Full story)End Quite

      Pakistan was warned we didn't need permission we took it. We also killed Kaddafi in his own country. Justice served babe . So your example wasn't a very good one.

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    18. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror."

      And that quote was related to the decision to attack Iraq -- "The Coalition of the Willing" -- when all of that 'evidence' was known to be false. In fact, there was no defensible reason for this at all other than Bush needing to wave his penis around. It had nothing at all to do with the stated reasons, because they were all provably false before any troops got sent in.

      Pakistan was warned we didn't need permission we took it.

      No, I think his example is that Americunts are assholes who believe that a warning means entitlement.

      Just because you decided to give yourself permission, doesn't make it valid.

      Otherwise, everybody on the planet could give themselves permission to start killing Americans. And, somehow you'd claim that is different.

      It isn't.

      The simple fact us America is full of self entitled douchebags who believe it is their right to grant themselves permission for anything they like.

      And, at some point, you will learn that the rest of the world doesn't agree with you.

      You're a moron.

      Go fuck yourself.

    19. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I heard GOP hopeful Herman Cain called it Malda-vini-vinia-stan.

    20. Re: Hm... by ForMeToPoopOn · · Score: 1

      You Sir are the abominable son of GW Bush. Reveal yourself!

    21. Re: Hm... by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      lol

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    22. Re:Hm... by Aryden · · Score: 1

      The simple fact us America is full of self entitled douchebags who believe it is their right to grant themselves permission for anything they like.

      Though there are many here, the country is not actually "full" of them. It just so happens that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

    23. Re: Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I read "US encouraged a coup de at in the Maldives and implemented there border control system in 2012. Since then US secret service has been arresting..."

    24. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If the US says it's an arrest then it's an arrest, Maldives will STFU and eat it

    25. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And that's why the entire world hates the US. Just you wait, it will come to bite you and your country in the ass as it did on 9/11, only next time it may be nuclear warheads from Russia with China helping to support them.

      There is a valuable lesson that the US government needs to learn quickly and that is "If you go around blustering and stabbing others in the back, you're going to end up dead one day".

    26. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What you do not know, Stan, is proper fucking grammar.

    27. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      America! Fuck yeah!

    28. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The United States did not kill Gaddafi, Libyan rebels did.

      And yes, the US needs permission. Maybe in the short term they can get away with shit like they did in Pakistan, but if they keep it up, they are undoubtedly going to suffer more attacks like 9-11.

    29. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you got it wrong, the meme is that *americans* are ignorant about geography

    30. Re:Hm... by r1348 · · Score: 1

      I'm asking this out of personal interest, I'm European too, and I would like my children to study in a school that would allow them to place well-known island groups in the right ocean.

    31. Re:Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is that the Patriot Act 2.0?

    32. Re:Hm... by Sciath · · Score: 1

      Even though that alleged Russian criminal was indicted three years ago, might I suggest that the U.S. went to extreme measures to obtain possession of a prominent Russian for the ultimate purpose of executing an exchange with him for Snowden at some point. The U.S. would go to extremes to get their hands on Snowden and capturing a suspected Russian criminal who is related to a Russian MP would be classic international criminal exchanges.

      --
      "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire
  4. Kidnapping. by Talonius · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When I had heard that the Russians were calling this kidnapping, I was doubtful -- but now, not so sure. We really do exact our justice anywhere we want to, don't we?

    What happened to extradition treaties and such? When did it become "stuff them in a van and drive!"?

    --
    My reality check bounced.
    1. Re:Kidnapping. by benjfowler · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The Russians are masters of passive aggression when it comes to law enforcement when it suits them: the place is corrupt from top to bottom, and it manifests itself in a complete lack of desire to cooperate in international law enforcement. They have a convenient clause in their constitution which lets them refuse to extradite anybody, no matter what -- but is only exercised when it suits them.

      Not arresting Russia's own cybercriminals is just another way for the notoriously erratic and thin-skinned Putin to poke the West in the eye and annoy us.

    2. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Sounds just like the United States.

    3. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not exactly new, or even news. The (US) Marines' Hymn opens with the lines:

          From the halls of Montezuma
          To the shores of Tripoli...

      Referring, IIRC, in the case of the shores of Tripoli, to where the Barbary Pirates took refuge while raiding shipping in the Mediterranean.

      The US Marine Corp went in to Tripoli to root out the pirates. That was in 1812.

    4. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Sounds just like the United States.

      Gimme a break. The Russians are no where near as bad as the US.

    5. Re:Kidnapping. by TWX · · Score: 2

      When I had heard that the Russians were calling this kidnapping, I was doubtful -- but now, not so sure. We really do exact our justice anywhere we want to, don't we?

      What happened to extradition treaties and such? When did it become "stuff them in a van and drive!"?

      i expect that the United States already had notified Maldives and gotten approval for extradition, long before he was arrested. After all, they indicted him in 2011, so they had plenty of time to determine his whereabouts and travel patterns. They might have anticipated that he would go through Maldives, so they arranged a hearing with their government to seek his extradition on his arrival on their soil. When he landed they intercepted him, arrested him, and the US government took custody.

      Had this been, "stuff him in a van and drive," I doubt that it would have even been reported, or that it would have been reported so quickly, or that they'd have said something while he's only as far as Guam as opposed to back to the mainland US.

      --
      Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
    6. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Russians might be masters of anything, here we are talking about clear cut case of illegal international hostile abduction or a son of a foreign country government official done by US quite blatantly and Russia should retaliate with at least an airstrike or a similar abduction

    7. Re:Kidnapping. by MRe_nl · · Score: 1

      The US Mercenary Corps (8 Marines + 500 mercenaries) went in to Derna to effect regime change. That was in 1805.

      --
      "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
    8. Re:Kidnapping. by Nidi62 · · Score: 2

      Not exactly new, or even news. The (US) Marines' Hymn opens with the lines:

      From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli...

      Referring, IIRC, in the case of the shores of Tripoli, to where the Barbary Pirates took refuge while raiding shipping in the Mediterranean.

      The US Marine Corp went in to Tripoli to root out the pirates. That was in 1812.

      The Marine Corps (it has an "s" in it-it isn't a business) isn't exactly known for arresting people. And in 1812 they were nothing more than naval infantry, which is why they went to the Barbary Coast. They were protecting American- and other states'- shipping. You know, kind of like what the US, France, Great Britain, and even Russia are doing right now off the Somali coast. The assertion you are trying to make is a very tenuous one.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    9. Re:Kidnapping. by Rei · · Score: 3

      TFA says he was arrested in Guam (a US territory). The "kidnapped in the Maldives" thing seems to be coming from the Russian media, which isn't exactly the most trustworthy source on the planet (but at least it's a lot better than North Korea! ;) )

      Russia (148th) might have been lower in the index had it not been for the stubbornness and resistance shown by its civil society. But the authorities keep on intensifying the crackdown begun when Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 and are exporting their model throughout the former Soviet Union. From Ukraine (127th, unchanged) and Azerbaijan (160th, -3) to Central Asia, Russia’s repressive legislation and communications surveillance methods are happily copied. Moscow also uses UN bodies and regional alliances such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in its efforts to undermine international standards on freedom of information.

      Criticism of the regime is common since the major demonstrations of 2011 and 2012 but media selfcensorship is far from disappearing. The federal TV stations continue to be controlled and, in response to the “return of politics in Russia,” the authorities have chose repression. Ever since Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin in May 2012, more and more draconian laws have been adopted. Activists, news media and bloggers have all been targeted. Defamation has been criminalized again, websites are being blacklisted and the range of activities that can be construed as “high treason” is now much broader. “Traditional values” are used to justify new restrictions on freedom of information, including the criminalization of “homosexual propaganda” and “insulting the feelings of believers.”

      Not like the US is a bed of roses - its #46 standing puts it below countries like Botswana and Papua New Guinea, only one place above Haiti. But compared to Russia....

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    10. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Russia started it by ignoring treaties they'd signed to annex Crimea.

    11. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Russians are more dangerous but less hypocritical.

      If the Russians really didn't like you at least they'd just murder you wherever you are, rather than kidnap you and then pretend to be upholding justice by charging you in some kangaroo court. Or worse dumping you in Guantanamo.

    12. Re:Kidnapping. by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      What happened to extradition treaties and such?

      In theory, they're in effect.

      In practice, your government simply ignores them, or strong arms the country in question.

      America has ceased to be about the rule of law, just about what they want, and what they're willing to do. The laws, treaties, and demands of other countries is simply deemed irrelevant.

      On an international scale, the US is more or less a rogue state which does as it pleases. And that is truly alarming, because the global message is "we don't give a fuck about you, we're Americans".

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    13. Re:Kidnapping. by wiggles · · Score: 1

      This.

      Plus, ever since Snowden, the US is actively putting pressure on anyone in power in Russia - any Russians in positions of power with so much as a parking ticket in the US is on an extradition list.

    14. Re:Kidnapping. by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      The Russians first thoughts were that the USA was bombing them and it turned out to be a meteorite and you would like us to believe Willie Nellie what the Russia's say ??

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    15. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yes, somewhat true. But given the fact that Russia is so open about its lawlessness, and refuses to prosecute these crimes at home, I hope the US locks this SOB criminal up for a LONG time. I so want Russian and Chinese and ANY OTHER damaging hacker in JAIL where they belong. Along with that, get to work prosecuting senior American bankers.

    16. Re:Kidnapping. by jratcliffe · · Score: 1

      1. The US and Russia don't have an extradition treaty. Russia, in fact, doesn't extradite their citizens, period. So, that option is moot.
      2. If the Maldives decided to hand him over to the US, that's the Maldives' call. They can deport people to wherever they please. Again, no violation of treaty, since the Maldives and Russia (and the Maldives and the US) don't have an extradition treaty.
      3. If he was grabbed without the consent of the Maldivian (?) government, then that would constitute kidnapping there (presumably, I'm not an expert on the law of the Maldives).

    17. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The Amerikans are masters of aggressive aggression when it comes to law enforcement: the place is corrupt from top to bottom, and it manifests itself in a complete lack of desire to cooperate in international law enforcement. They have a convenient clause in their secret laws which lets them do whatever the fuck they feel like.

      Not arresting Amerika's own kriminal klass is just another way for the notoriously erratic and thin-skinned 1% to poke the 99% in the eye and annoy us.

      file under, sauce/goose, sauce/gander

    18. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TFA says he was arrested in Guam (a US territory).

      No, it doesn't, it says:

      Roman Seleznev, 30, was arrested overseas by the U.S. Secret Service on July 5 and was ordered detained today during a hearing in federal court in Guam, the Justice Department said in a statement.

      And:

      The Justice Department declined to say where Seleznev was arrested.

    19. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you, George W Bush.

    20. Re:Kidnapping. by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      And another Executive Branch agency just went to the Maldives to protect American (and other states') commerce (very much related to shipping as the purpose of said shipping was to engage in commerce. So how is his analogy "very tenuous"?

    21. Re:Kidnapping. by Kasar · · Score: 1

      Credit card thieves like this are primarily harming banks, the cardholder gets some crazy bills and spends an hour or so on the phone or signing papers disavowing the charges, but they don't bear the cost. Why go after bankers, they're victims here.

      lol

      --
      vi? Who's that?
    22. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's as if US media is a reliable source, did you find those WMDs in Iraq yet?

    23. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When I had heard that the Russians were calling this kidnapping, I was doubtful -- but now, not so sure. We really do exact our justice anywhere we want to, don't we?

      I'll bet he was actually arrested for "suspicion of having a high ranking soviet father". I suspect this is a political ploy by the Obama regime to extort some kind of concession out of Russia. You know, like the Mafia used to do.

      What happened to extradition treaties and such? When did it become "stuff them in a van and drive!"?

      Heh, I remember one of the very first episodes of "cops" where they kicked down someone's door, dragged this guy out and threw him in the back of the police car, then turned to the camera and said something to the effect of "now we need to drive this guy across the county line where our warrant is legal".

    24. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the fuck does Crimea have to do with the USA? That would be like the Russian government kidnapping the son of an American official because the US stole California from Mexico.

    25. Re:Kidnapping. by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Not arresting Russia's own cybercriminals is just another way for the notoriously erratic and thin-skinned Putin to poke the West in the eye and annoy us.

      Now the guy was arrested in Guam, a US territory not the Maldives but I cant help but think this was also a ploy to get leverage on Russia. Maybe setting the scene for a good old prisoner swap... Seeing as the guy is the son of a member of the State Duma (house of parliament) so he's the son of someone important, The US will give him a nice trial, sentence him to prison an then ring Putin and offer him a friendly deal, Seleznev will "serve" the rest of his sentence in Russia and in exchange, the Russians give the US Snowden. This may not be the intent of arresting Seleznev, but it seems to be a very convenient opportunity.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    26. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It may be, it may not be. What is fact is that your opinions are all very very short sighted, cruel, and just downright WRONG. We're tired of hearing you speak. STFU.

    27. Re:Kidnapping. by superwiz · · Score: 1

      What's more interesting is that Maldives almost definitely would not have agreed with it. It depends on Russian tourist money because Russians somehow think it's the destination of those at the very top of the pecking order. There is almost no way Maldives would have agreed to piss off Russia over a mild fraud case. So this was in violation of the local laws. Given that he may have had a diplomatic passport, it could have been an act of war, too.

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    28. Re:Kidnapping. by superwiz · · Score: 1

      The Russians are masters of passive aggression when it comes to law enforcement when it suits them: the place is corrupt from top to bottom, and it manifests itself in a complete lack of desire to cooperate in international law enforcement.

      No argument there. But this didn't happen in Russia.

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    29. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you think when a bank loses money to fraud it doesnt pass it on by means of higher fees?
      intersting.
      On a completely unrelated note i have a bridge i'd like to sell to you....

    30. Re:Kidnapping. by Rei · · Score: 1

      According to his public defender:

      A Federal Public Defender on Guam, John Gorman, has been appointed to represent him.

      Gorman told PNC News today that he was informed by federal officials that the U.S. Secret Service arranged with the Maldives Government to "detain" Seleznev as he was about to board a plane back to Moscow this past Saturday, July 5th. He said Seleznev was then flown on a charter flight here to Guam where, the Federal authorities said, the actual "arrest" was made.

      1. He was arrested in Guam. He was detained in the Maldives, but not arrested there.
      2. You can't call it a "kidnapping" if it was done in conjunction with the Maldives government (the local authorities).

      Did the Maldives government break their laws by doing this action with the Secret Service? Beats me, I'm not a Maldives legal professor. But if there's anyone who would have the authority to order someone in the Maldives detained, I would think it would be the Maldives government.

      --
      Fox: "I think we should call it... your grave!" Cast: "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
    31. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know about you, but if my bank had gotten hacked, I'd switch banks.

    32. Re:Kidnapping. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Look up 'Robert seldon lady', he was the CIA station chief in Italy who was convicted in his absence for kidnapping terrorist suspects (who turned out to be innocent) along with some others. Found guilty and sentenced to prison.

      The Americans have been doing this for years and getting away with it.

      More recently the above mentioned Robert Lady was arrested in Panama at the request of the Italian government as he is a conviceted felon and has time to serve in prison.

      What happened next ?

      Instead of Panama sending Lady back to Italy he was mysteriously set free and returned to the US.

      So the US Government is officially guilty of harbouring a fugitive from justice.

      If I helped a convicted man on the run from prison I'm sure I would be arrested.

    33. Re:Kidnapping. by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      Ah yes, the typical liberal answer to debate. What exactly is cruel? And who are you to decide they are wrong?

    34. Re:Kidnapping. by Redmancometh · · Score: 1

      This is easily one of the best posts I've read all day.

  5. Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    US probably has an agreement with Maldives.

  6. Imperial Police by mbone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What in the hell are the US police doing arresting anyone in a foreign country? Is the Maldives part of the empire now?

    And, yes, the Russians are totally correct in calling this kidnapping. Look for some poor American tourist or businessman to be nabbed in a tit-for-tat.

    1. Re:Imperial Police by BigSlowTarget · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well they don't want to go arrest people in Mexico. It's dangerous down there and besides the Maldives have great beaches.

    2. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This.
      If the guy was "arrested" in the US there would be no problem.
      But they're going around acting like the global police and arresting people in random countries.

    3. Re:Imperial Police by blue+trane · · Score: 0

      What did the Russians call it when Putin poisoned diplomats he didn't like?

    4. Re:Imperial Police by hugetoon · · Score: 1

      More to come I'm afraid...

    5. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They do not talk about such things. It is... unhealthy.

    6. Re:Imperial Police by physicsphairy · · Score: 2

      Respecting territorial sovereignty is for when other countries can do something about it. A small island nation of a few hundred thousand people need not apply.

      Still, it seems a bit excessive to do an extradition raid for someone who is apparently accused of hacking into zoo and deli websites. His relation to the Russian MP is probably what has earned him the special attention, part of Obama's plan to punish Russia. The message is clear, "Invade its allies and America will spoil your vacation."

      What do you suppose the probability is that after some further negotiations the MP's son and Snowden trade places?

    7. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More surgical than drone strikes.

    8. Re:Imperial Police by quantaman · · Score: 1

      I'm playing a bit of the devil's advocate but I'm assuming that the US has an extradition treaty with Maldives.

      The US has a fairly responsible justice system when it comes to this. If a person from Russia/Nigeria/a country with a dubious court system is stealing credit card info in the US/Canada/EU I think it's absolutely appropriate for one of the latter countries to seek that individual's arrest when that person enters a jurisdiction with an extradition treaty.

      So for me the US having the Maldives' police arrest and extradite this guy would be fine.

      The iffy part is the US using it's own law enforcement. I can understand the US wanting to run the show so nothing goes wrong, but it definitely speaks to a general disrespect to the sovereignty of the country in question.

      --
      I stole this Sig
    9. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Guam is a US territory.

    10. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Guam is a USA territory .

    11. Re:Imperial Police by blue+trane · · Score: 1

      I understand why Russians don't mention it. But what about the "fellow travelers" like the GP?

    12. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maldives is not Guam.

    13. Re:Imperial Police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They probably want to make a trade for Snowden.

      But they say I'm crazy and paranoid, so...

  7. Obama desperate to get Snowden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    As more and more Snowden leaks are coming to surface, Obama is getting desperate. He grounded presidential planes to get Snowden before and he's not beyond kidnapping people to exchange them for ransom (Snowden).

    If Obama doesn't release the kid, I hope Russia will start "arresting" US citizens in the same matter.

    1. Re:Obama desperate to get Snowden by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      I hope Russia will start "arresting" US citizens in the same matter

      Well, don't go stealing Russian credit card numbers.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    2. Re:Obama desperate to get Snowden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "He grounded presidential planes to get Snowden before"

      This is not a true portrayal of the situation. I actually listened to the audio between the pilot of the plane in question and the ATC in Portugal I think it was. The pilot said he wanted to land because his fuel gauge wasn't reading accurately. Now, this excuse is sometimes used when they just want to make an unscheduled landing for many reasons, even including the pilot needing to use the bathroom in a plane without one on board. The core fact though is that the pilot whatever is reasons, he requested the landing, not anyone on the ground.

    3. Re:Obama desperate to get Snowden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sure the Russians can make up charges as well as the Americans.

    4. Re:Obama desperate to get Snowden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    5. Re:Obama desperate to get Snowden by belmolis · · Score: 1

      That article doesn't discuss this scenario at all. It neither supports nor refutes the GP.

  8. Arrested overseas? by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1, Funny

    I understand that he did something wrong, but begin arrested overseas by the U.S. Secret Service? The U.S.A. is acting like the mafia these days, no country is off-limits and frontiers don't exist.

    Next up: the U.S. Secret Service arrests E.T. on his home planet for an unpaid long-distance call.

    1. Re:Arrested overseas? by Herschel+Cohen · · Score: 2

      >> [...] U.S. Secret Service arrests E.T. on his home planet for an unpaid long-distance call.

      Pipe dream.

      We lack the budget to get there, otherwise we would. Be realistic, please.

    2. Re:Arrested overseas? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wonder what happens when one day it goes pear shaped and some of the American 'agents' are shot \ killed \ captured ?

  9. Secret Service job description by fnj · · Score: 1

    The US Secret Service is chartered with two utterly unrelated duties:
    1) Investigation of financial crimes such as counterfeiting and fraud.
    2) Protection of the US protected class of untouchable leaders, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries.

    I don't see violation of the rights of third party nationals in foreign lands anywhere in their charter. Surely there are normal cooperative channels to bring the case to the attention of the law enforcement agencies of the foreign lands and also the third party governments.

    Violation of the sovereignty of the US by attacking it or its citizens does not seem to be a part of this case.

    1. Re:Secret Service job description by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Notice that no one else in the comments pointed that out, or modded you up for that matter. I find that more interesting than the story honestly. People in power will break their own laws when convenient. That is obvious. But why has no one else here or on other news sites noticed that the SS is inappropriately involved? Are so many supposedly intelligent people so ignorant yet confident enough to talk about the subject anyway? Or do they lack the critical thought to see the discrepancy? I thought this site was full of software developers and the like. They should be able to post something a little higher brow than what yahoo news has on offer.

    2. Re:Secret Service job description by jratcliffe · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The US Secret Service is chartered with two utterly unrelated duties:
      1) Investigation of financial crimes such as counterfeiting and fraud.
      2) Protection of the US protected class of untouchable leaders, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries.

      I don't see violation of the rights of third party nationals in foreign lands anywhere in their charter. Surely there are normal cooperative channels to bring the case to the attention of the law enforcement agencies of the foreign lands and also the third party governments.

      Violation of the sovereignty of the US by attacking it or its citizens does not seem to be a part of this case.

      1. This falls clearly under #1, investigation of financial crimes.
      2. He was indicted in 2011. If he were, say, a UK citizen (for example), the US would have put in an extradition request, and the UK would have (following a hearing, assuming there was credible evidence) extradited him. Same if the alleged crime had taken place in the UK, and he were a US citizen in the US.
      3. Russia doesn't extradite their citizens, period, and, even if they did, there's no extradition treaty between the US and Russia. Therefore, no, there aren't any "normal cooperative channels" involved.
      4. If the Maldives government (and I have to assume he was arrested there, otherwise he'd be a complete idiot, knowing that he had been indicted in the US, to visit Guam) consented to his arrest and transfer to the US, that's entirely kosher. The Maldives doesn't have an extradition treaty with the US (they don't have one with anyone, as far as I know, which might have been a reason that Mr. Seleznev decided to vacation there), but that doesn't mean that they're not allowed to extradite people, just that they're not obliged to.

    3. Re:Secret Service job description by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I haven't read any actual detailed account of how the arrest transpired, so how would we know if the SS acted inappropriately?

    4. Re:Secret Service job description by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      because America... Therefore, bad.

    5. Re:Secret Service job description by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No it does not. All they do is hard currency based fraud. Nothing else. Your ignorance is only slightly more than your hubris.

  10. So which is it going to be? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    This story pits dueling Slashdot hot-button knee-jerk outrage topics head-to-head: 1) Evil US oligarchy (I had to throw that one in as it is the new "hot" word to use), in a show if Imperialism kidnaps Russian citizen from foreign country, or 2) criminal is able to avoid arrest for five years due to his ties to government (oligarchical) power that allows Russia to stonewall their end of a bi-lateral agreement.

    Which will it be? Evil Imperialism or special treatment for those in power? Where will the outrage be? Early signs suggest Imperialism, probably due to the spin the story has been given.

    1. Re:So which is it going to be? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      'stonewall their end of a bi-lateral agreement' , so that would be like all the treaties the US makes knowing it is never going to honour them due to them never being ratifed?

    2. Re:So which is it going to be? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you for your valuable contribution, but what does that have to do with the topic under consideration?

    3. Re:So which is it going to be? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The parent is complaining about Russia engaging in behavior America also does but I forgot your American Jeebus told you your always the good guys.

    4. Re:So which is it going to be? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, the original comment is pointing out the dichotomy between two positions that evoke hyperventilating self-righteous Slashdot reactions, and the AC made an off-topic comment about US treaty ratification.

      However, if you are thick-headed enough to still think it is on-topic, then you should (well, apparently YOU wouldn't) recognize that in the examples above, one is talking about upholding an existing treaty, and the other is talking about not having any treaty in place. I think even YOU can see the difference between the two, but maybe I'm too much of an optimist to think that you can clear that intellectual hurdle because it has been lowered all the way to the ground (I suppose you'll still stub your toe on it, though).

  11. Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives? Does that mean they can just go into arbitrary countries and arrest people arbitrarily?

    You must be new to international law. The U.S. has had an extradition treaty with Maldives.

  12. 51? by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    The USA has 51 states? How did that get past me?

    1. Re:51? by thieh · · Score: 1

      Still 50. Guam and other places are like the Virgin Islands where they don't get to become incorporated. Maldives just become one of those unincorporated places.

    2. Re:51? by swilly · · Score: 1

      Maldives isn't a US territory. They used to be a UK one before they got their independence in 1965. Perhaps you were thinking of the Mariana Islands?

  13. Next law by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    So after the law about "web services must store data in Russia", next step will be a law "Russian MP must store children in Russia" ?

  14. Hate to break it to you ... by Ihlosi · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The Russians are masters of passive aggression when it comes to law enforcement when it suits them: the place is corrupt from top to bottom, and it manifests itself in a complete lack of desire to cooperate in international law enforcement. They have a convenient clause in their constitution which lets them refuse to extradite anybody, no matter what -- but is only exercised when it suits them.

    I hate to break it to you, but the phrase above remains true if you replace "Russians" with any country powerful enough to get away with this kind of behavior.

    1. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by kamapuaa · · Score: 1

      But there isn't a clause in most country's constitutions about this, and of course nations with little power are also often corrupt and unwilling to cooperate in international law enforcement, generally more so than powerful nations.

      --
      Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
    2. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I hate to break it to you, but the phrase above remains true if you replace "Russians" with any country powerful enough to get away with this kind of behavior.

      Like the great nation of Texas. They just call it "Affluenza" there.

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

    3. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by jbmartin6 · · Score: 1

      Article 61. The citizen of the Russian Federation may not be deported out of Russia or extradited to another state. The Russian Federation shall guarantee its citizens defense and patronage beyond its boundaries.

      --
      This posting is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, implied or otherwise.
    4. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Reading comprehension problems?

    5. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by parkinglot777 · · Score: 1

      Reading comprehension problems?

      I think the guy just replied to GGP on the part saying " They have a convenient clause in their constitution which lets them refuse to extradite anybody, no matter what" which is exactly what Article 61 is.

    6. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by Kasar · · Score: 1

      The NDAA lets the US government send citizens to overseas prisons, without trial, charges, appeals, and not even a warrant needed.
      It's one of the few areas where Congress and the President are in total agreement, citizens are the biggest threat to their power.

      --
      vi? Who's that?
    7. Re:Hate to break it to you ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At least they still have a constitution, unlike the worthless toilet paper that the American constitution has become.

  15. just the usual shenannigans,. by nimbius · · Score: 0

    The Justice Department declined to say where Seleznev was arrested.

    So, just randomly stuffed into a van by the secret service or what? for those not in the united states, the Secret Service is our government law enforcement division that handles major financial crimes. Guam is a US Territory. it cant vote in congress or senate but its residents are considered US Citizens.

    The indictment, which was unsealed today

    so this guy was indicted but never knew about it? or we filed an indictment and just didnt tell anyone at all? Sometimes we do this because the statute of limitations is about to run out, but when is it appropriate should we decide to indict a foreign politicans son? how would diplomatic immunity work? had russia waived he right to it? its just another example of how american law is enforced at discretion and arbitrarily.

    the guy allegedly only profited 1.2 million dollars for his scam and for regular stiffs thats quite a bit. However, what the hell do we hope to accomplish arresting him? the financial collapse of 2008 surely claimed more than a trillion dollars in fraud as well, but we never once considered arresting a banker. Leveraging this as part of our commitment to sticking our dick in Ukrane is absurd as well, but probably something we'll shoot for anyhow considering our policymakers never got the memo about the end of the cold war, the dismal failure in iraq and afghanistan, and the decline of the United States as a global superpower in general.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re: just the usual shenannigans,. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Russian, Russia, America, American, Iraqi etc... are all capitalised. You can type capital letters by using the shift key on your keyboard.

    2. Re:just the usual shenannigans,. by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      We did not indict him for being a politician's son. We indicted him for committing crimes. Personally, I find it ridiculous that diplomats get blanket immunity from prosecution but I fully understand the reasoning behind it. Now we have people suggesting that not only do accredited diplomats get immunity, but any politician? Seriously?

  16. Hmmmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can see a swap agreement coming soon. The son of a Russian official for Snowden.

  17. Learn to play by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nobody is hacking, noob. You just suck! So STFU!

    (proceeds with 100 more perfect headshots)

  18. Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please do control better your own public servants. Such actions undermine US external diplomacy.

    Certainly I don't speak for my government, but I find it difficult to support the US from now on, in case some other nation decides to kidnap US citizens (obviously I'm against such actions). I cannot help imagining someone prepared a trap and you fell for it...

    BTW, some perfectly legal things in the US -- I believe you're aware -- constitute crimes in other countries.

    1. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Theft is legal in Russia?

    2. Re:Hmm by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      But what he did were also crimes in Russia and were partially committed within the US.

    3. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Theft is legal in Russia?

      Probably not, and that is not relevant as he wasn't in Russia.

      But kidnapping people is not ok and "because I can" leads to lots of trouble. Whenever you ask things like that, think first "is it legal in my country?" and "how would I react if India came here and kidnapped someone who copied a Bollywood movie?" Would you think that would be fair or even acceptable?

    4. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To complement my post above, I read the news and credit card data theft is a lot more serious than unlicensed copying ("piracy"). Also, someone is claiming the US has an extradition treaty with Maldives (without source). Anyway, it's a chance for the USA to make an official statement and somewhat fix up things.

      In a moment that Russia is criticized for supposedly entering another country, extreme care should be taken to avoid incurring the same error. I hope the diplomatic personnel from all sides be wise enough to solve matters in a way that improves the world situation -- already bad as it currently is without such incidents.

  19. Peter Graves, not $cientology-boy by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    The Secretary will disavow any knowledge of their actions.

    See, extraordinary rendition is COOL, just like of teevee!
    And the IMF are always the GOOD guys, so it's OK.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  20. That's dumb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's preventing Russia retaliation by "kidnapping" US diplomat/politician children in foreign countries on fraudulent charges?

    I don't like US foreign policy where we get to what we want in foreign countries but then expect them to obey our rule when they are in our country. The more we put this kind of stunt, it either reinforce our "US empire" image or lose respect/credibility in the international communities. We should have gone through proper channel.

  21. Smiley by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure there's more to the story than we're getting out of either Russia or the US. And that goes double for what we're getting out of the Russian media (RT) and the US media. As sympathetic as I am to the Anonymous folks, their cries of "kidnapping" based only on what's coming out of Russia are a little premature. Does anyone here doubt that a Russian MP's son would be involved in a large-scale criminal enterprise stealing US credit card info? Is that really so improbable? I don't have a need for immediate information or immediate reaction on these things. We'll see what we see. Until then, I don't believe a damn thing in any of the reports. Both countries have very large, powerful and dishonest intelligence services who are expert at this crap. They had more than half a century of Cold War practice after all. And I've learned to tread lightly when it comes to RT or the US media.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  22. Prisoner exchange? by biodata · · Score: 1

    It would be a shame if your son comes to harm in some foreign jail, perhaps we can come to some arrangement about Owd Sneedon?

    --
    Korma: Good
  23. RBN? by Redmancometh · · Score: 2

    I wonder if this is the same guy who was supposed to have been leading the Russian Business Network. There were/are a lot of rumors that his father was someone well-connected inside of the Russian government. It would explain how they've operated with impunity how long they have.

  24. What is hilarious is that by azav · · Score: 2

    this was also submitted to the firehose as "US Kidnaps Son of Russian MP", where the post alleges that the US extradited him to Guam under false pretenses.

    Wonder which spin is the correct one?

    --
    - Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
  25. Good Morning, Edward by davesays · · Score: 1

    I guess we will be seeing Snowden back in the US as soon as his current asylum offer expires...

  26. Gangster tactics by boorack · · Score: 1

    My guess is that US will try to exchange this guy for Edward Snowden. Typical for gangster states as United States of A.

    1. Re:Gangster tactics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The correct attitude would be to say: "we don't negotiate with terrorists" and start arresting spies.

  27. Russian Member of Parliament (MP) by Wargames · · Score: 1

    FYI, MP = Member of Parliament (MP) . ttyl

    --
    -- Each tock of the Planck clock is a new world and here we are still life. --
  28. Hm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    "Since when did the US got power to arrest people in Maldives? Does that mean they can just go into arbitrary countries and arrest people arbitrarily?

    You must be new to international law. The U.S. has had an extradition treaty with Maldives."

    An extradition treaty allows the police of the local country to arrest someone on their own soil for a crime allegedly committed against another country, and hand them over to that country.

    Normally, the local country goes through a process of checking whether there is prima facie evidence against the arrestee which would warrant an arrest if the crime had been carried out locally. But the UK has signed up to a variation of the extradition treaty, whereby if the US says they want someone, the UK government provides him with no evidence or just cause required, while if the UK government wants a US citizen, they can whistle for him...

  29. yes, why yes they do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    yes they do - the usa are a bunch of totalitarian assholes who have no respect for any other country's sovereignty

    as long as the usa carries out it's agenda, they could care less about any country's or human's rights.

  30. Jurisdiction? by sixsixtysix · · Score: 1

    Since we are so keen on going after foreigners breaking our laws outside of our jurisdiction, we lose the option of being outraged when another country does the same.

    --
    ...
  31. Russians kidnap Ukrainians from Ukrainian soil by avgapon · · Score: 1

    Russians kidnap Ukrainians from Ukrainian soil for 'trial' in Russia. See film director Oleg Sentsov who was kidnapped from Cirmea. See Nadia Savchenko, a Ukrainian military officer, who was captured by separatist fighters and moved to Russia.

  32. The US isn't just unwilling to cooperate ... by Ihlosi · · Score: 1
    unwilling to cooperate in international law enforcement

    The US actively threatens countries with military invasion if they engage in certain forms of international law enforcement.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A...