By Jonathan Easton

A former US TV producer has been charged with violating Crimea-related sanctions.

John Hanick, a US citizen and former producer for Russian oligarch Konsatin Malofeyev John Hanick, was arrested last month in London. He has been charged with violating US sanctions that arose from Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, and the US is seeking his extradition.

Malofeyev is the owner of Christian Orthodox TV network Tsargrad TV, and was placed under US and EU sanctions in 2014 over allegations that he funded pro-Russian separatists fighting in Ukraine.

Hanick meanwhile moved to Moscow in 2013 to work for Malofeyev and continued working for him beyond the implementation of sanctions until 2017. He was closely tied to Malofeyev, who directly handled his compensation, with Hanick wiring some of his payments back to New York.

The 71-year old was interviewed by the FBI in February, with the authorities stating that he made false statements about his work during that interview.

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams said: “Konstantin Malofeyev is closely tied to Russian aggression in Ukraine. The indictment unsealed today shows this office’s commitment to enforcement of laws intended to hamstring those who would use their wealth to undermine fundamental democratic processes.”

Lawyers for Hanick are yet to comment.