EFraunfelter+Blog

Topic: Russian Mafia

Entry 4: March 4th, 2013 Fired Weatherman's 'Hangover' Helps Expose Rising Russian Mafia [|ABC] [|WWReporters] ABC News reports that John Bolaris, a news reporter from Philadelphia, was drugged and robbed of $43,000. He was on vacation in Miami, Florida. He was just enjoying a drink when two Russian women approached him and were looking to spend some quality time with him. He said they got him into a haze by drugging him and managed to take $43,000 from him. He was just trying to enjoy his vacation, but trouble found him, and he lost his job as a weatherman. It shows how much influence the Russian Mafia has and is spreading. What was considered to be just the 'Russian mafia,' is now becoming what it is. More and more stories reporting their scandals are showing up along the East coast of the United States. Since there is such little turf left in Russia, the clans are trying to spread out and take as much as they can, and are beginning to plague more nations than just their own.

Entry 3: February 25th, 2013 Russian Mafia Boss Astamur Guliya Killed in 'Retaliation' for Grandpa Khasan’s Murder [|IB Times] [|MafiaToday] According to CNN, another Russian Mafia boss was assassinated a a few days after Usoyan in Moscow. The shooters waited in a silver Mercedes for him to leave a restaurant and then opened fire on him in the parking lot. His name was Astamur Guliya, and he was a new mob leader who was flashy and a friend of Usoyan's rival mobster, Rovshan Janiyev. It is connected to Usoyan's assassination, and is potentially an act of revenge for Usoyan's death. Some also see it as a "spill out" of mob hostility in Moscow, which just keeps building to the tensions in Sochi, where the 2014 Olympic Games are being held. It is just off the border of Georgia, and this killing is most likely part of the ongoing turf war taking place in that location.

Entry 2: February 11th, 2013 Death of Russian mobster sparks fears of turf war in Sochi [|Guardian] [|NewsRT] The Guardian News reports that after a Russian mafia boss was shot dead early in January, tensions are high in Sochi because it is turf that he owned and is located where the 2014 Winter Olympic Games will be held. His rivals are looking to take that territory for themselves now, which may cause a turf war between clans. The news of the Olympics in Sochi may have caused some violence in the mafia. Eduard Kakosyan was killed right after hearing of it, and he was in high stature as one of Usoyan's lieutenants. The Russian Mafia was supposedly shut down in the 1990s, however it is becoming large again after the president Dmitry Medvedev shut down the department that controlled organized crime. An anonymous person from his department said that there is not a business or industry in Russia that is not under someone in the mafia. These criminals all have connections in the Federal Security Service which they exploit in order to keep from being arrested. The region of Sochi is plagued by the Russian Mafia, and it may be used as a proving ground between clans, making it seem unfit for a place to hold the next Olympic games.

Micah Brown- Wow! Eric this is terrific. It is interesting and is a well-written summary. I never knew something like this would affect the Olympics. I'll keep an eye out for any of it when the 2014 Olympic games are shown on television.

Jasin Stover- Eric, this is a great summary of the article and it is surprising to know that the Russian Mafia has such control over the government that they can get away with their crimes.

Tyler Groff- This is very interesting. The summary really captures how the Russian Mafia does their work. Maybe write more on this topic because people would enjoy reading it.

Entry 1: February 4th, 2013 Russia investigators hunt assassin who killed mafia boss [|CNN] [|BBC] CNN News provided information that on January 17th, Moscow police were looking for a suspect who had shot a mafia boss, Aslan Usoyan, in the neck outside of a local restaurant. One of the restaurant workers was hit by two bullets at expense of the sniper, and is reported to be in critical condition, and it is possible that she may never walk again. One of Usoyan's bodyguards opened fire on the attacker who was scoping in from a stairwell in a nearby building. However, the crossfire only hindered the attack, and the shooter fled the scene. After multiple attempts at saving Usoyan's life by both his bodyguards and the nearby hospital, he was later determined dead. This was not the first attempt on Usoyan's life. The crime is believed to have been a contract killing over territory claimed by different gangs. The mafia boss was involved in many underground businesses such as drug trafficking and illegal arms sales.

Carli Freeman- Your summary of the events seems clear and it seems like you know what you're talking about. Maybe you should write more because I'm sure people would be interested in learning more about the topic.

Rachel Shelley-It seems strange that Usoyan was a known mafia boss and was involved in the illegal activities you listed like drug trafficking and illegal arms sales yet he was still being protected by the police. Does the mafia have some control in Moscow's government and police force? Great summary!

Jason Stover- This is straight forward and presents the vital information. It sounds like you have done your research enough to present a credible summary. This exhibits your effort and knowledge of the topic.

Micah Brown - Eric, it appears that you have done a significant amount of research and found important and notable information in order to write this summary. It is well written and displays your knowledge of your topic.

Justin Gaukler- The summary of events is clear and interesting, What is the government in Moscow doing to prevent shootings and organized crime by the mafia?