Reputed thief-in-law Tariel Oniani has denied ordering a hit on rival underworld boss Aslan Usoyan, better known as Grandpa Khasan, Oniani’s lawyer said Monday, Interfax reported.
A sniper seriously wounded Usoyan and a bodyguard on Thursday in central Moscow. Russian media have reported that Usoyan and Oniani had been fighting over the empire of a third thief-in-law being held in a Spanish jail.
Oniani “categorically denies” involvement in the attempted killing, lawyer Nikolai Mdinaradze told Interfax, referring to his defendant by his other surname, Mulukhov. Oniani is in a Moscow jail appealing a 10-year sentence he received in July for kidnapping.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
