Russian Crime Boss Wounded In Apparent Assassination Attempt
Vyacheslav Ivankov in a 2005 photo
July 29, 2009
MOSCOW -- Infamous Russian crime boss Vyacheslav Ivankov, widely known by his nickname Yaponchik, is in serious condition after being wounded in an apparent assassination attempt in Moscow on July 28, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Yaponchik was deported from the United States five years ago after spending more than nine years in jail there for extortion, fraud, and illegally entering the country. He was extradited to Russia and tried on murder charges, but a local court acquitted him, Reuters reports.
Investigators say the attack might have been a settling of scores between two criminal groups.
Russian authorities name Ivankov as one of the most influential figures in Russian organized crime.