Russian Mafia
Prior to 1989, the Communists indirectly controlled the government of the Soviet Union. It was during the Mikhail Gorbechev era in which his "openness" measure of reform was challenged by the explosion of the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl on April 26, 1986. This incident brought about change which was subsequent to an open discussion of poverty, the waste of resources, and the Afghan conflict. Efforts of reform were made by Eastern Europe leaders to remove the Communists leaders. In 1989, there was a celebration over the seeming victory of democracy and capitalism over communism in the Western part of the world. Ronald Reagan's "evil empire" had become a prospective partner. However, the Russian economy had not responded well to the restructuring. The strength of the Russian government had fallen back into the hands of Communists and ultranationalists. More importantly, Russian politics, economy and society had been plagued with organized crime known as the Russian Mafi!a. On February 12, 1993, President Boris Yeltsin stated that "organized crime has become a direct threat to Russia's strategic interests and national security" (Talalayev). The irony of the situation is that the services responsible for the national secu
(6) Lindberg, Richard and Markovic, Vesna. "Organized Crime Outlook in the New Russia: Russia is Paying the Price of a Market Economy in Blood". Search International 23 Apr 2001 Organized crime groups are becoming more and more dangerous everyday. They are involved in money laundering, prostitution, extortion, drug smuggling, and many other illegal acts. There are around 10,000 fatal shootings a year in Russia, 600 of which are contract killings. One of the most dangerous groups is a notorious Russian mob family near Prague called the Red Mafia. Led by a 52-year old Ukrainian-born Jew, Semion Mogilevich, the mob's young enforcers who are trained by veterans of the Afghanistan war are infamous for their extreme brutality (Friedman). Their trademarks are stabbings, torture, mutilation and butchering. One Moscow martial-arts teacher describes the difference between the Mafia in the West and those in Russia: (10) Shelley, Louise I. "Organized Crime and Corruption Are Alive and Well in Ukraine." Transition Newsletter. Jan - Feb 1999. 23 Apr 2001 http://www.worldbank.org/html/prddr/trans/janfeb99/pgs67.htm (1) Bonner, Raymond. "FBI Goes Global: New Hungary Office to Hunt For 'Russian Mafia'. Manchester Guardian 22 February 2000 23 Apr 2001 http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/022200-02.htm About 200 Russian organized crime groups have migrated beyond the Russian boundaries and now operate worldwide. They are present in many U.S. cities and have arrangements with American, Sicilian, and Colombian crime lords. Yeltsin said, "The criminals are challenging us. They think their time has come. They think Russia belongs to them" (Phinney). Over 2,000 officials are being investigated on suspicions of corruption. Russian criminals are now known to control a global network of extortion, large-scale auto theft, international prostitution, financial fraud and manipulation, metals and minerals smuggling, and contract murder (Phinney). The Russian Mafia has proven to be a significant force in delaying the reform process. They seem to be threatening to take over the nation's economy. The protectionism offered by the organized crime groups has had an effect on the Russian economy by creating immense inflation to an already weak market. Because the business owners must pay the 20% protection costs to the Mafia, the prices of goods and services are raised enormously. This has lead to a trend towards nationalism and separatism in Russia. Also, much of the extorted money takes a substantial amount of wealth out of Russia because it ends up in other countries. Furthermore, the organized crime groups deter foreign investment in the country. Foreig
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Approximate Word count = 1812
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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