The Ethereum community is in shock following the detention of well-known developer Fede’s Intern in Turkey. He is accused of helping people 'misuse' the Ethereum network.
Details of the Developer's Detention
The incident came to light when Fede’s Intern, an Argentinian crypto researcher, tweeted about his detention. Turkey's Minister of Internal Affairs personally accused him of 'misuse', a claim many in the crypto community view as vague and unfair.
Fede’s Intern insists he has done nothing wrong, stating that he and his team are just infrastructure builders, creating technology rather than committing crimes.
Expectations from Authorities and Community Support
While still in Turkey, the developer revealed he was moved to a private room, given food, and told he might be able to fly to Europe to contest the allegations from abroad. He has begun reaching out to influential connections across Europe, the US, Asia, and the UAE for assistance.
Support messages have come from figures in the Ethereum and Solana communities, with some offering legal help. However, skepticism has also emerged about the legitimacy of the detention.
Legal Uncertainty and Consequences
Some experts believe the detention may stem from translation errors or misunderstandings regarding how blockchain operates. A Turkish crypto commentator has pointed out that there appears to be 'zero legal basis' for detaining someone over such allegations.
Countries like Turkey often apply pre-existing commercial and criminal laws to cases involving crypto, which can result in unclear or unusual charges.
For now, Fede’s Intern remains in Turkey, exploring options to leave, possibly to contest the allegations from abroad. His legal team is actively working on the case as influential contacts step in to assist.
