The arrests come as Russia’s security services have struck a strategic agreement with the country’s cyber criminals, allowing them to work as long as they also conduct state-ordered missions, experts tell Axis.

By the AP’s count, at least five Russian hackers have been arrested, including Alexander Vinnick, the operator of one of the world’s largest bitcoin exchanges, who was picked up July 25 while vacationing with his family in northern Greece on charges of allegedly helped criminal syndicates launder money.