Vinnik’s attorney appeals against 5-year prison sentence

Lawyers of the alleged $4 billion Bitcoin launderer appeal to the court, arguing that Alexander Vinnik was just an employee at BTC-e.
Source: Vinnik’s attorney appeals against 5-year prison sentence (https://cointelegraph.com/news/vinnik-s-attorney-appeals-against-5-year-prison-sentence)
Would appreciate your opinion about this