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Russia authorities release alleged mob leader wanted by US

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Russian police on Monday released suspected organized crime leader Semyon Mogilevich after a court found that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to continue holding him. Mogilevich and another man, Vladimir Nekrasov, were arrested in January 2008. The court ordered their release, citing the length of time that they had already been detained and the relatively minor charges against them. Mogilevich is also wanted in the US on unrelated charges for allegedly manipulating the stock of YBM Magnex International, and is suspected of involvement in more serious crimes including arms dealing and drug trafficking. The court subjected Mogilevich to a travel ban, and prosecutors have said they plan to re-file charges against him later in the week. Mogilevich and two others were indicted on US federal charges in 2003. They face 45 counts of racketeering, securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering charges. It is unlikely that Mogilevich will ever stand trial on the US charges, as the US and Russia do not have an extradition treaty.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on July 27, 2009 (boomark / email).