Thailand To Extradite Arrested Reputed Russian Crime Boss

Authorities in Thailand say they will extradite a reputed Russian crime boss to Russia next week.

Thailand migration police said on June 27 that they plan to extradite Aleksandr Matusov on July 1.

Matusov, 52, is wanted in Russia for his alleged involvement in scores of killings and other criminal activities. Thai authorities arrested him on June 23.

An infamous criminal network tied to Matusov -- known as the Shchyolkovo Group -- was notorious for killings, extortion, and kidnappings committed in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg from 1995 to 2009.

The Russian authorities issued arrest warrants for Matusov and other gang members for allegedly murdering four members of a rival gang in 1996.

According to Thai officials, Matusov first entered Thailand in 2009 and left before returning later on a fake Armenian passport.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and spbdnevnik.ru