Armenian Man Extradited to US Over Ryuk Ransomware Attacks

An Armenian man extradited from Ukraine to the United States has been charged over his alleged role in Ryuk ransomware attacks.

Karen Serobovich Vardanyan was arrested in Kyiv in April, and was extradited to the United States on June 18. Ukrainian authorities announced shortly after the extradition that a 33-year-old suspected of being involved in Ryuk ransomware attacks had been arrested and extradited, but his identity was not made public at the time.

The US Justice Department has now revealed that the suspect is Vardanyan. He has been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers, and extortion in connection with computers.

He faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for each count. The suspect has pleaded not guilty. He will remain in custody until his trial, set to start in late August.

Vardanyan has been charged alongside Levon ...