Questions mount about Russian cybercriminal Aleksei Burkov Released by Biden Administration

"House Republicans on Monday sent a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
inquiring into the Biden administration's release of convicted Russian cybercriminal Aleksei Burkov before the end of his sentence. 

"Burkov has been described as an 'asset of supreme importance' and possibly 'one of the most connected and skilled malicious hackers ever apprehended by U.S. authorities,'" wrote Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-OH), Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Michael Turner (R-OH).

The letter comes amid ongoing Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion. U.S. intelligence officials have warned that Russia poses a "serious cyber threat" to America.

U.S. law enforcement pursued Burkov for years until Israeli authorities arrested him at the request of the U.S. in 2015, the representatives stated. Russia fought his extradition to the States, but he eventually entered U.S. custody in November 2019. 

Burkov pleaded guilty and received nine years in prison, with credit for time spent incarcerated in Israel and the United States. He was then released one year early on Aug. 25, 2021. An ICE spokesperson said that "Burkov is wanted by Russian authorities," the Republicans wrote.

 "In light of the danger posed by Burkov’s activities and President Biden’s statement that Russian cyberattacks against U.S. interests would face 'consequences,' we have questions about the Biden Administration’s decision to allow Burkov to return to Russia," the lawmakers told Sullivan." JustNews