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In Moscow Region, ethnic gang members accused of creation and operation of the criminal community, as well as of multi-million swindling, found guilty

The evidence gathered by the Moscow Regional Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia was found by the court to be sufficient to convict 18 persons, including two former employees of the Moscow Regional Authority for Road Traffic Safety of the Main Directorate of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of Russia and four employees of leasing companies. According to their part, they are accused of creation and operation of a criminal community (Parts 1 and 2 of Article 210 of the Criminal Code of Russia) and swindling committed by an organised group (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of Russia, 17 episodes).

According to the investigation, from January 2015 to April 2016, Arslan Abdullaev, Khizar Chapaev, Salman Ismailov, acting as part of the criminal community and being its active members, together with other accomplices (more than 30 people) had been committing swindling of premium cars by deception of leasing companies’ employees from car dealerships in Moscow Region, and later had been selling them to foreign citizens and exporting outside the Russian Federation. The total damage from the activities of the criminal community members amounted to more than 40 million roubles.

The investigation was especially difficult, primarily due to the large number of persons to be brought to justice, as well as the high volume and large number of episodes, secrecy, conspiracy, false documents, shell companies and stumps, which significantly impeded and complicated the identification of criminals. In addition, almost all of the accused come from other regions of Russia and live in Moscow Region without temporary registration, which also made it difficult to establish their whereabouts.

During the investigation, a large number of forensic examinations were carried out; details of calls was examined for more than 100 phone numbers. The investigator did his utmost to to ensure that the guilt of the accused was fully proved with the evidence gathered. As a result, the probe amounted to more than 175 volumes.

Three accomplices have already been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. 9 persons are still on the federal wanted list. 

The court sentenced 18 accomplices to 4 years of imprisonment, suspended, and up to 8.6 years of imprisonment in a penal colony with a strict regime.