Federico Carrone, an Ethereum developer known as 'Fede’s Intern' on platform X, was detained in Turkey over allegations related to his research on Ethereum privacy protocols. After 24 hours, he was released, sparking considerable attention in the crypto community.
Circumstances of Carrone's Detention
Carrone was detained in Izmir, Turkey, under unclear circumstances. He announced his release on Monday via a post on X, stating: 'I’m finally out, safe and free. There was a small moment where things looked very bad but thanks to help from many I got released.'
Carrone's Statements and Risks for Developers
Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs allegedly accused Carrone of 'helping others misuse Ethereum,' reportedly referring to a January 2022 research paper he co-authored. Carrone clarified, 'We never helped anyone engage in illegal activity; it was purely research on mixers and their properties.'
Community Support and Future of the Case
Carrone described initial concerns about phone confiscation and isolation during detention. Community support from contacts across multiple countries, including the UAE, the UK, the US, Europe, and Argentina, facilitated his release. Following his release, Carrone donated $500,000 in Ether to support Roman Storm’s legal defense. He stated in one post: 'I will never forget it. I hope to be able to give back to all of those that helped me.'
Carrone's case highlights the increasing legal pressure on crypto developers working on privacy tools. As cases like Roman Storm's unfold, it is vital to remember the importance of support and legal protection for vulnerable innovative endeavors in the crypto industry.
