Spain Extradites Reputed Russian Gang Leader

Published: 08 March 2012

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A reputed Russian crime boss linked to 27 murders and seven attempted murders was extradited from Spain on Wednesday, announced Marina Gridneva of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office.

Dmitry Belkin is accused of leading the Orekhovo gang, which allegedly was involved with large scale extortion and infiltration of large Russian businesses in the country and abroad.

Belkin himself is charged with organizing criminals to perpetrate murders, including that of a senior Russian investigator, attempted murders, and illicit arms trafficking from 1995 to 1998.

Russian authorities put Belkin on the federal most wanted list in 1998.  He was arrested in Spain a year ago, and his extradition was agreed upon in February.

Other members of the Orekhovo gang have received life sentences.