Russia Arrests 23 In Organized Crime Raid

Suspected organized crime boss Aslan Usoyan, also known as Grandpa Hassan, was gunned down in Moscow on January 16.

Russian authorities say 23 people have been arrested at a meeting where suspected organized crime figures were discussing strategy following the killing of a reputed leading criminal chief.

The police raid occurred January 26 at the Family Elite Club restaurant in Nikolina Gora, near Moscow.

Those arrested are reported to include two senior crime figures from Russia, and two from Belarus.

The Interior Ministry said the raid was carried out after investigators learned that suspects from Russia and Belarus would be attending the meeting to discuss questions about criminal activities following the January 16 death of Aslan Usoyan, also known as Grandpa Hassan, who was gunned down in Moscow.

It said the suspects were expected to discuss coordinating the activities of criminal groups linked to Tariel Oniani, said to be a rival of Usoyan.

Based on reporting from Interfax and Reuters