Polish law enforcement authorities said Friday that they have arrested a 79-year-old Russian man on suspicion of organized criminal activity, describing him as a powerful member of a criminal underworld.
The man, identified only as Vladimir D. in accordance with Polish privacy laws, was arrested in late April in the region surrounding Warsaw, officials said.
Poland’s Central Investigation Bureau of Police (CBSP) described him as a “thief-in-law,” a prestigious and powerful status within the elite hierarchy of the Russian-speaking criminal world.
According to investigators, Vladimir D. was “crowned” with the title in 1982, nearly a decade before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“He may have overseen the activities of a subordinate criminal group, including the planning and execution of crimes, as well as the distribution of illicit proceeds,” the CBSP said in a statement.
At the time of his arrest, which followed an Interpol notice, Vladimir D. did not possess valid travel documents.
A court ordered him to be held in a secure facility for foreigners until his identity is formally confirmed and deportation proceedings to Russia can be finalized.
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.
