REPORT ACCUSES RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OF COMPLICITY IN ORGANIZED CRIME.

A study by the German intelligence agency BND has concluded that Russia’s own special services are cooperating with Russian organized crime groups — and are backed by the government. According to a report published by Der Spiegel magazine, the study found that large parts of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), along with other government agencies, have been penetrated by mafia groups. It also concluded that FSB agents themselves have in some cases taken up key positions in the Russia mafia. (Reuter, October 4)

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