Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin (BTC) investor, once known as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his support for cryptocurrency, was indicted for alleged tax fraud last year and could be sentenced to life in prison.

Now many industry veterans are coming to his support, including Ethereum-co-founder Vitalik Butterin, who called the potential phrase “absurd.”

“Going to prison for the rest of your life over non-violent tax violations is absurd,” Bornerin said on a social media post. “The case against Roger seems very politically motivated; As with Ross Ulbricht, there have been plenty of people and businesses that have been accused too far worse and yet face judgments far milder than what Roger is facing. “

His words come after Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life in prison for creating Darknet Marketplace and later pardoned by US President Donald Trump, showed support to Ver and said no one should “spend the rest of their lives in prison over taxes.”

Similarly, Kraken -founder Jesse Powell has argued in verse defense. “The reality is that they just don’t like him and they want him, and they want to use every excuse they can to get him or do his life hell for as long as they can.”

Ver and his legal team challenge the case and argue that the charges brought against him are politically motivated.