Story perspectives

FBI Case Against Leonova Crumbles Amid Deportation Chaos

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

The FBI's case against Yana Leonova faces collapse as U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation policy complicates prosecutions.
Yana Leonova was extradited from France in November 2025 to face fraud and money laundering charges.
Immigration officials plan to detain and deport Leonova, complicating the prosecution.
A federal judge criticized the government's contradictory actions and noted that more than 60,000 people are in ICE custody amid rising deportations.
If deported, Leonova could not be extradited back to the United States due to lack of agreements with Belarus and Russia.

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Story summary

The FBI's case against Yana Leonova faces collapse as U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation policy complicates prosecutions.
Yana Leonova was extradited from France in November 2025 to face fraud and money laundering charges.
Immigration officials plan to detain and deport Leonova, complicating the prosecution.
A federal judge criticized the government's contradictory actions and noted that more than 60,000 people are in ICE custody amid rising deportations.
If deported, Leonova could not be extradited back to the United States due to lack of agreements with Belarus and Russia.