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Aslan Gagiyev, internationally wanted leader of gang, apprehended in Austria

As a result of joined efforts of investigators of the North-Caucasus Federal District Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee, operatives of the Federal Security Service, Ministry of the Interior for the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and Interpol, on 17 January 2015, competent bodies of Austria detained Aslan Gagiyev, the leader of gang on an international wanted list. At present his extradition to the Russian Federation is under consideration.

The criminal organization set up and led by Aslan Gagiyev started operation in 2004 and had over 46 members. They committed over 40 murders, attemps on lives of law enforcement officials attempted murders and attempted murders in the city of Moscow, Moscow Region and North Ossetia-Alania. Among the most resonating crimes are: in August 2012, an attempt on the life of an investigator of Moscow Interregional Transport Investigations Directorate Alexander Leonov in Moscow; in 2011 – a murder of former First Deputy CEO of OAO Financial Leasing Company and Chairman of the board of directors of shipbuilding group WADAN YARDS Andrey Burlakov and an attempted murder of his wife Anna Etkina in Moscow; in 2008 – a murder of mayor of Vladikavkaz Vitaly Karayev; an attempt on the life of head of the Department for fighting against organized crime of the Ministry of the Interior of North Ossetia-Alania Mark Matsayev; a murder of Vice Premier Minister of North Ossetia-Alania Kazbek Pagiyev and his driver Vladimir Gasiyev; an attempt on the life of Head of Criminal Detection Department of the Russian Ministry of the Interior for North Ossetia-Alania Vitaly Cheldiyev and his son Zaurbek Cheldiyev; in 2013 – a murder of deputy prosecutor for Promyshlenny district of Vladikavkaz Oleg Oziyev. All the murders were contracted, with a several of them ordered by Aslan Gagiyev.

By the present time several of the members have been sentenced to long terms in prison and leader of one of the gangs Oleg Gagiyev to life in prison. 15 more persons are under arrest and 13 others are on international and federal wanted lists.

As soon as Gagiyev is delivered to Russian investigators, he will be subject to investigative operations.

The North-Caucasus Main Investigations Directorate is carrying out necessary investigative operations to find out all the circumstances of the crimes and prosecute the persons involved.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                          V.I. Markin