ABSTRACT
Everyone seems to be talking about the influence of the mafiya in Russia today. Newspapers in Russia report mafiya hits and describe the activities of racketeers, thugs, and young toughs. Murder, street shoot-outs, theft, muggings, graft, extortion, bribery, and various kinds of economic crimes are increasingly prevalent according to many reports throughout the country. Various forms of organized crime have apparently exploded, including drug dealing, money laundering, and smuggling. 1 Almost all of these illegal activities appear to be included when Russians talk about the mafiya.
