By ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — A Russian court on Saturday ordered the release of Joshua Cartu, an Israeli-Canadian racing car driver and entrepreneur wanted by the United States on fraud charges, citing the absence of an official extradition request.
Cartu, nicknamed the “Ferrari fugitive,” was detained on Monday by Russia’s Interpol unit at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport. The U.S. government had declared him “wanted” in connection with allegations of multimillion-dollar investor fraud.
The St. Petersburg Moskovsky District Court ruled to “terminate proceedings” against Cartu, stating that Russian authorities had not received a formal extradition request from the United States. Russia does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S., although the two countries recently conducted a high-profile prisoner swap.
According to the St. Petersburg court press service, Cartu was subject to an Interpol Red Notice. He is accused of being part of a group that allegedly defrauded U.S. investors of approximately $60 million between 2013 and 2017.
In 2021, the U.S. government filed a fraud complaint against Cartu and others, including his brothers David and Jonathan, alleging conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The complaint details a complex scheme involving binary options trading platforms that allegedly misled investors.
Cartu’s detention earlier this week had been extended by the court due to concerns that, as an Israeli citizen, he could freely leave Russia. However, Saturday’s ruling effectively ends his detention in the country.
The racing driver and tech entrepreneur has a significant social media presence, with hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. His accounts feature images showcasing a luxury lifestyle centered around high-performance cars, particularly Ferraris.
In interviews with British media, Cartu has described himself as a race car and tech entrepreneur who owns a fleet of Ferrari vehicles. His public persona has contributed to the “Ferrari fugitive” moniker in media coverage of his legal troubles.
Canada’s foreign ministry acknowledged on Tuesday that it was “aware of an arrest involving a Canadian in Russia” and had offered consular assistance. The ministry has not yet commented on Cartu’s release.
The case highlights the complexities of international law enforcement cooperation, particularly between countries without formal extradition agreements. It also underscores the challenges faced by authorities in pursuing individuals accused of financial crimes across borders.
Legal experts note that while Cartu has been released in Russia, he may still face legal challenges if he travels to countries with closer ties to the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice has not yet commented on the Russian court’s decision or its next steps in pursuing the fraud allegations against Cartu.
