World

Major Russian mafia trial opens in Spain

February 19, 2018 4:17 pm

A Russian MP, Vladislav Reznik, and 17 other suspects have gone on trial in Madrid accused of massive money-laundering for a Russian mafia gang.

The alleged gang bosses Gennady Petrov and Alexander Malyshev are still at large, believed to be in Russia.

Some suspects are alleged to have Russian government connections.

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Mr Reznik told the court he had turned up in order to prove his innocence. Five Spaniards are also in the dock, accused of helping Russian criminals.

The case dates back to 2008, when Spanish police carried out “Operation Troika”, arresting 20 Russian mafia suspects.

Mr Reznik, whose wife Diana Gindin is also on trial, previously chaired the Russian parliament’s financial markets committee. He is a member of the United Russia party, loyal to President Vladimir Putin.