Crypto developer walks free from Turkish custody after privacy protocol research triggers detention

Blockchain developer known as Fede’s Intern confirmed his release from Turkish custody on August 11 after authorities detained him over alleged connections to Tornado Cash.

The developer posted on X that international intervention secured his freedom following a brief detention at Izmir airport.

Turkish police detained the developer upon arrival in Izmir, where he planned to meet with local builders and explore decentralized finance project opportunities. 

Authorities cited a case filed by Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs accusing him of helping others misuse Ethereum through alleged connections to mixers.

The detention stems from academic research that the developer published on Tornado Cash several years ago, during the period when the mixer’s co-founder, Alexey Pertsev, was arrested. 

The research, published under the name “Tutela,” demonstrated methods to deanonymize users of the privacy mixer rather than developing privacy features.

The developer stated:

“We never helped anyone engage in illegal activity, it was purely research on mixers and their properties. We didn’t develop privacy features, only code and a paper showing heuristics to deanonymize users.”

International pressure secures release

Friends and associates from the United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US, the European Union, Argentina, and representatives from the Catholic Church contacted senior Turkish officials to request the developer’s release.

He reported:

“There was a moment where I believe if a few of them didn’t intervene things might have gone sour.”

The intervention allowed him to retain his phone throughout the detention and avoid transfer to a holding facility pending formal charges.

Turkish attorneys representing the developer continue working on his defense despite his release. 

The developer indicated he may return to Turkey to clear his name once legal proceedings advance, citing strong local connections and legal representation.

The case reflects broader tensions surrounding cryptocurrency privacy tools and developer liability. 

The developer drew parallels to potential prosecution of software developers for downstream uses of their code, comparing the situation to hypothetically prosecuting Linux creator Linus Torvalds for military applications of the operating system.

Repercussions from the US 

MetaMask security lead Taylor Monahan highlighted on X that the impacts of legal decisions in the US impact other jurisdictions.

She stated:

“One of the more interesting and unreported downsides of the US’s approach to crypto is the impact it has on other countries and, thus, globally. Countries that often fall somewhere between incompetent, broken, and utterly corrupt.”

Monahan was likely referencing the recent conviction of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm in the US, who was found guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

The MetaMask security lead and other crypto advocates have criticized the decision, claiming that open-source software developers can’t be held responsible for its usage.

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