news 
Craig Wright, the Australian national who has been accused of being Satoshi Nakamoto, is set to face a prison sentence for contempt of court after failing to appear at a hearing earlier today.
Wright’s absence from the Royal Courts of Justice in London comes as no surprise, given his history of flouting court orders. However, this time it seems he may have overplayed his hand by claiming that he cannot afford to attend the hearing due to work commitments and lack of funds.
The Australian, who once called the UK home for nine years before fleeing in 2015 amid an investigation into his tax affairs, was ordered to appear at a hearing today and tomorrow to explain why he should not be held in contempt. Instead, he sent an email minutes before proceedings were set to begin, claiming that it would cost COPA (Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance) £240,000 ($305,000) for six months of lost work if he were to attend the court hearing.
COPA offered to pay his airfare and expenses, but Wright refused, effectively undermining his claim of poverty. As a result, Justice Mellor will now give his verdict and sentence at a later date, with the possibility of a prison sentence ranging from 18 months to two years.
Wright’s decision not to attend the hearing has likely sealed his fate, and it seems unlikely that he will be able to return to the UK or Australia without risking arrest.
Source: fullycrypto.com
