A suspected Russian gang leader has been arrested in Thailand at the request of the Russian branch of Interpol, state news agency RIA Novosti reported Wednesday.
Sergei Kovalenko, who is accused of founding a criminal gang in Siberia's Kemerovo region in the late 2000s, was nabbed in the Thai resort of Pattaya on Tuesday night, the news agency reported, citing Vladimir Sosnov, head of the Russian Embassy's consular division in Thailand.
Kovalenko's criminal gang, which was based in the town of Yurga, was dismantled by Russian law enforcement in 2012. Kovalenko was charged in absentia at the end of 2013, according to RIA, and added to an international wanted list in February last year.
According to Sosnov, Kovalenko's criminal gang is accused of committing a string of serious crimes, including kidnapping, extortion and theft.
Kovalenko will soon be deported to Russia to face justice, RIA reported.
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.
