Counter-intelligence: Russian-speaking criminals chose boss for Czech Republic

According to Czech-counter intelligence, the BIS, criminal groups from countries from the former Soviet Union went so far as to “elect” a high-standing organised crime leader for the Czech Republic. The BIS revealed the information in its annual report for 2006. According to the service, the criminal boss allegedly oversees activities of all Russian-speaking criminal groups across the Czech Republic. BIS spokesman Jan Subert has declined to reveal whether the authorities know the figure’s identity. The boss is said to have been elected at a secret meeting in Moscow at which Russian, Ukrainian and Caucasian groups divided territories of operation.

The recent murder of a chauffeur of the head of the Czech Republic’s largest lottery company – a case of mistaken identity - has drawn increased attention to the activity of criminal gangs on Czech territory.