Russian Mafia 1991-2023. Gangs and Power

The 9th revised edition of the popular «Encyclopedia of Crime», which has been maintained for almost 20 years by the famous Russian lawyer Valery Karychev. Valery's persona became legendary after he took on the defense in court… of one of the most brutal, cunning, lucky, and ruthless killers of the late 20th century — A. Solonik. Karychev's decision to work with such a dangerous client was received among human rights advocates and lawyers, to put it mildly, ambiguously. But one thing is beyond doubt: this act required no small amount of courage, bravery, and, most importantly, sincere conviction that every person is inherently innocent and has the right to defense. The updated version of the Encyclopedia opens a new period in the criminal era of modern Russia. The author draws attention to a shocking fact that seems to go unnoticed among the media: the most influential figures of the «wild 90s», the most hardened gang leaders, who once received significant prison sentences, are beginning to be released. They are different now. They do not carry weapons, do not cause chaos, do not divide cities into zones of responsibility, and do not kill each other in bloody «showdowns». Their interests are now much higher — in the offices of Power.