Russian Mafia Boss Killed by Sniper in Moscow; New Criminal Redistribution Feared?
Aslan Usoyan, a top Russian mobster, was shot dead on Wednesday with a sniper rifle in Moscow.
The 75-year-old, known as "Grandpa Hassan," was hit while leaving a restaurant near the Kremlin. Usoyan was shot once from a suppressed Spetsnaz sniper rifle, which also wounded a female bystander, according to Russia Today. An investigation was launched into the assassination that may likely be linked to unknown criminal activities.
Usoyan was an ethnic Kurd born in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He was considered the most influential criminal in the former Soviet Union with the pseudo-title "king of the Russian mafia."
Most of his criminal convictions dealt with weapons and drug possession, and in 1984 he was jailed for 15 years for selling counterfeit gold coins. His exploits helped make his organization one of the most powerful criminal enterprises in the region during the 1990's by operating several casinos in Moscow and eventually controlling the crime scene of south Russia, including the Caucasus.
The mobster also survived an assassination bid in September 2010 when he was shot in the abdomen in central Moscow. No arrest was ever made since the assassin was not identified by authorities.
Usoyan was reportedly at war with another criminal group headed by fellow Georgian Tariel Oniani. The conflict began in 2006 with engagements about the control of lucrative construction projects, including the sports facilities being built for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to The Associated Press.
Usoyan's murder upset parliament Deputy Alexander Khinshtein who works on a government security committee.
"I am sure that a new criminal redistribution will begin now," said Khinshtei, over fear that Usoyan's death might trigger unprecedented violence, according to The Daily Telegraph.
