Russia Uncovers ?Georgian Money Laundering Ring?
Russian news agencies reported that the Russian Interior Ministry has uncovered a money laundering ring that ?representatives of the ethnic Georgian criminal community? were engaged in.
The operation was part of a large-scale anti-money laundering campaign carried out by the Russian Interior Ministry?s Department of Economic Security (DES). The probe has revealed that a total of almost USD 8 billion has been laundered in a period from 2004 and January 2005.
?One of the criminal communities [engaged in money laundering] was led by a ‘criminal authority’ from Tbilisi [with the nick-name] ‘Juba.’ This gang was engaged in illegal bank operations linked with money laundering and transfers abroad (Georgia, Latvia, the U.S. etc)? This group had a strong ethnic and criminal links with representatives of the Georgian criminal community,? RIA Novosti news agency reported, quoting a press-release issued by the Russian Interior Ministry?s Department of Economic Security.
?This channel was used intensively for money transfers to Georgia? This criminal authority [‘Juba’] has close links with those Georgians who fought in Abkhazia? It is known that in a remark he made in one of the casinos in Moscow he noted that his money is being transferred for ‘a small victorious war’,? the press release reads.
According to the Russian Interior Ministry?s Department of Economic Security, ?Juba? fled to France on October 8. “Juba’s” real name was not reported.
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