The RFB Secretary General called Kasatkin's release the best news in the new year.

On January 8, Vladimir Dyachok, Executive Director and Secretary General of the Russian Basketball Federation (RFB), called the release of basketball player Daniil Kasatkin from a French prison the best news in the new year.

"Daniel's release is certainly the best news in the new year, and probably in the old one, too. It sounds like a small miracle, considering the decisions and forecasts that were made. Therefore, I sincerely congratulate Daniel's family and friends on his return home," he said in an interview with the newspaper Sport—Express.

Dyachok also expressed gratitude to the athlete's lawyers and diplomats from the Russian Foreign Ministry, who were able to secure Kasatkin's release.

Kasatkin was released from a French prison on the night of Thursday, January 8. The athlete's lawyer, Frederic Belo, added that French Prime Minister Sebastian Lecorny had not signed the decision on Kasatkin's extradition to the United States, which had previously been taken by a French court.

At the same time, the Russian FSB confirmed that Kasatkin, who was a suspect in the cybercrime case and was under threat of extradition to the United States, had been returned to Russia. He was exchanged for the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, convicted in Russia (recognized in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent), who was found guilty of espionage.

On October 29, the Paris court decided to extradite Kasatkin to the United States. In turn, the Russian Embassy condemned the French decision. Later, on November 8, Belo reported that the athlete would not challenge the court's decision on his extradition.

The news is being updated