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New Ivan the Terrible: Problems in International Criminal Enforcement and the Specter of the Russian Mafia

NCJ Number
172544
Journal
Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law Volume: 28 Issue: 173 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 173-196
Author(s)
P J Vassalo
Date Published
1996
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Russian organized criminal activity is examined with respect to its nature and extent in Russia, the United States, and Germany and methods by which countries can effectively cooperate in the current international legal system to address organized crime while still preserving national sovereignty.
Abstract
Nearly 6,000 Russian organized criminal groups operate worldwide. Their activities include drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, and trafficking in nuclear weapons materials. Russian organized crime has led to violence, causes serious disruption of world financial institutions, and poses a serious threat to world security. The principal bases of the Russian Mafia are the United States, Russia, and Germany, so it makes sense for the three countries to coordinate their activities, but issues of sovereignty and jurisdiction have impeded effective cooperation. However, bilateral mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT) have been effective in overcoming traditional problems of sovereignty and jurisdiction. A trilateral MLAT has never been tried by any of the three countries, but the experience of the bilateral form suggests that it could be highly effective. This approach is only one possible solution, but it would be an effective beginning and a vast improvement over current uncoordinated, sporadic activity.