Lawyers for Glaidson Acácio dos Santos, the Bitcoin Pharaoh, argued good behavior to try to transfer him to Bangu 1, but the request was denied.
During a periodic review of the preventive detention of Glaidson Acácio dos Santos, known as the Bitcoin Pharaoh, his lawyers attempted to remove him from the Federal Penitentiary of Catanduvas, in Paraná, and transfer him to Bangu 1, in Rio de Janeiro. However, Judge Luis Lacerda of the Specialized Criminal Court of the TJ of Rio denied the change.
The information comes from the newspaper O Globo, which also states that Glaidson's defense argued excessive time, good behavior, and 'absence of new facts demonstrating current risk to public order or the criminal investigation' to justify the request for a change of imprisonment.
According to the publication, recently the lawyers of the 'Pharaoh' attempted to include new evidence in the case files with videos in which he gave a 'pedagogical and educational speech' about the cryptocurrency market and other tips for investors.
The magistrate, however, denied the request and also highlighted the defense's attempt to hinder the progress of the process.
"I deny the request to join evidence given the undeniable attempt to obstruct the regular progress of the procedural march with delaying arguments. Therefore, for the last time, the defense is summoned for the final allegations of the defendant under penalty of dismissal of the technical defense and issuance of an official letter to the correctional bodies of the OAB, as applicable," says the decision.
The story of the 'Bitcoin Pharaoh'
A GAS Consultoria, Glaidson's company, attracted clients with promises of returns that supposedly came from cryptocurrency trading. Later, its pyramid scheme model triggered a series of investigations by Brazilian authorities. The investigations mention a movement of R$ 38 billion through the scheme over the years.
Glaidson, who became known as the 'Bitcoin Pharaoh,' was arrested on the morning of August 25, 2021, during Operation Kryptos. At the time, other members of the scheme were arrested, while some managed to escape from the police and flee Brazil, such as Glaidson's wife, Mirelis Yoseline Dias Zerpa, who ended up being arrested in January 2024 in Chicago (USA) for illegally residing in the country. In June of this year, Mirelis was deported to Brazil by the United States.
At the time of Glaidson's and other suspects' arrests, Federal Police and Federal Revenue agents seized 591 bitcoins, dozens of luxury cars, and over R$ 13 million in cash.
Several people close to the couple confirm that the division of tasks within GAS was clear: Glaidson dealt with people and Mirelis with money.
In 2023, GAS Consultoria was part of an extensive list of companies summoned in the CPI of the Pyramids, which also summoned the Bitcoin Pharaoh. In testimony, the former waiter engaged in a series of exchanges with some deputies and was even called by a politician 'one of the greatest criminals in the history of the national financial system.'
In addition to stealing money from thousands of Brazilian investors through GAS's pyramid scheme, the Bitcoin Pharaoh is also accused of being the leader of an organization that monitored and murdered rivals in the cryptocurrency market, as shown by audio recordings obtained by authorities.
