They said Wednesday that Alexander Dinarovich Petrov, 33, who was carrying a forged Ukrainian passport, was detained last week at the request of Russian authorities at the Baie-des-Anges marina, near Nice, where he had rented a holiday apartment with his family.
He is believed to be among the wealthiest and most powerful bosses of organized crime in Moscow.
Petrov says his passport is valid and has refused to be sent home. He is appealing against an expulsion order by French authorities, the sources said.
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