Russian crime boss laid to rest

One of Russia's most infamous gangsters has been buried at a prestigious Moscow cemetery amid unprecedented security.

Hundreds of representatives of various underworld groups are reported to have attended the funeral of Vyacheslav "Yaponchik" Ivankov.

The ceremony was closed to the media at the request of his family. Police were present but no arrests were made.

Read full article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8305571.stm

Russian crime boss Ivankov dies in hospital

Vyacheslav Ivankov, a Russian crime boss who spent nearly 10 years in a U.S. prison, died Friday in a Moscow hospital, two months after being shot several times coming out of a restaurant. He was 69.

His death was announced by the main federal investigative agency, which said the cause had not yet been established.

Ivankov had undergone several operations since the shooting but was never well enough to leave the hospital, state news agency RIA Novosti said.

Read full article here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/world/story/878904.html

Attack on crime lord could be part of gang war

Criminal leader Vyacheslav Ivankov was shot in an apparent assassination attempt in Moscow and is now in a serious condition. The attack is believed to be part of a gang conflict he was attempting to mediate.
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Ivankov, also known by his nickname “Yaponchik” is something of a legend in Russia’s criminal world, having started his career back in the Soviet Union. He has been living outside of Russia in recent years, but is still believed to be an influential figure among criminal gangs.

Read full article here: http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-07-29/attack-on-crime-lord-could-be-part-of-gang-war.html

Russian mafia godfather Vyacheslav Ivankov shot in Moscow

Vyacheslav Ivankov, one of the Russian mafia’s most infamous godfathers, was fighting for his life after an assassination attempt in Moscow. He was shot three times in the stomach as he left the Thai Elephant restaurant in the city.

Police later found a sniper’s rifle in a stolen vehicle abandoned nearby.

The crime boss underwent emergency surgery as prosecutors opened an investigation. A security service source told the Ria-Novosti agency that Mr Ivankov, 69, may have been the target of a revenge attack after he had sought to mediate a dispute between rival gangs involved in gambling rackets.

Read full article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6732604.ece?