Russia: “Thieves-in-law” first time sentenced for criminal group formation

On May 13 Khabarovsk territorial Court announced an unprecedented sentence to eight leaders of the Far-Eastern criminal group "Obschak" (“Common stuff”). For the first time in the newest history of Russia Court pleaded “thieves-in-law” guilty as per formation of criminal group thus sentencing them to the extended prison sentences.

As it became known to the Prime Crime News Agency, the Court on the basis of accusatory verdict of the jury pleaded Eduard Sakhnov guilty as per part 1, Article 210, Clause “a” part 3 Article 126 of the RF Criminal Code and sentenced him, taking into account punishment for the previously performed crime, to 25 years of imprisonment in the colony of a strict regime and penalty in the amount of 500 thousand rubles. “Thieves-in-law” Oleg Semakin and Oleg Shokhirev as per the same Articles were sentenced to 23 and 20 years of imprisonment respectively and each of them to the penalty in the amount of 500 thousand rubles.

Active participant of the criminal group Oleg Zavalov was accused of performing crimes as per part 1 Article 210 clause “a” part 3 Article 126 of the RF Criminal Code and sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment and penalty in the amount of 250 thousand rubles. The same sentence as per part 1 Article 210 of the RF Criminal Code was delivered to other members of the group – Konstantin Koshelev, Alexander Sitov, Anton Kruzhaev, Aleksey Shchugarev – who were sentenced from 8 to 9 years of imprisonment. According to other articles, incriminated by the state prosecution, the criminals were declared as not guilty as their participation in these crimes was not proved. Also the Court justified Sergey Rumyantsev, Roman Beloborodov and Kirill Zalishchuk completely removing any charge from them.