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