Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone, known online as “Fede’s Intern,” has been released after a 24-hour detention in Turkey. He was reportedly held over alleged connections to an Ethereum privacy protocol, which he believes stems from a research paper on user privacy and mixers like Tornado Cash. Carrone stated the research was purely academic and did not involve illegal activities.
Key Takeaways
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Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone was detained in Turkey for 24 hours.
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The detention was allegedly due to his work on a research paper about Ethereum privacy protocols.
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Carrone believes the paper, which analyzed mixers like Tornado Cash, led to his detainment.
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He was released with the help of international contacts and is now in Europe.
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Carrone donated $500,000 in ETH to support Roman Storm's legal defense.
Detainment and Release
Carrone confirmed his release in an X post on Monday, stating he is "safe and free" after a period where "things looked very bad." He was accused by Turkey's Minister of Internal Affairs of "helping others misuse Ethereum." Carrone asserts that his research, conducted in January 2022, focused solely on the properties of mixers and did not facilitate illegal actions.
The Cryptocurrency Privacy Study That May Have Led to an Arrest: Federico Carrone
International Support
Initially, Carrone feared losing his phone and being unable to communicate. However, friends from various countries, including the UAE, UK, US, Europe, and Argentina, along with support from the Catholic Church, intervened. These contacts reportedly reached out to senior Turkish officials, contributing to his release. Even members of the Solana ecosystem offered assistance.
Ongoing Case and Future Plans
Despite his release, Carrone indicated that the case is still active, with his Turkish attorney working on the defense. He expressed a desire to understand the full reasons behind his detention and stated his willingness to return to Turkey to clear his name once the situation is resolved.
Support for Roman Storm
In solidarity, Carrone announced a significant donation of $500,000 worth of Ether (ETH) to support the legal defense of Roman Storm, a co-creator of the Tornado Cash privacy protocol. Carrone emphasized the importance of supporting developers who push innovation, ensuring they have community backing.
Sources
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Ethereum core dev 'safe and free' after being detained in Turkey — TradingView News, TradingView.
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Ethereum Core Dev Safe And Free After Being Detained In Turkey, Cointelegraph.
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