Like a prosecutor to a prosecutor

Russia and the United States agreed to share secrets of criminal cases

US Attorney General John Ashcroft arrived in Moscow yesterday for negotiations with the leadership of Russian intelligence services. First of all, he went to his colleague Vladimir Ustinov to solve the most pressing problems for Americans in the fight against the “Russian mafia” and terrorism.

To begin with, the parties exchanged mutual reproaches. Back in February of this year, the agreement between Russia and the United States on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters came into force. It provides for countries to carry out investigative orders from each other, but the way this agreement is implemented does not suit either Russia or the United States. Prosecutor General Ustinov reproached the American prosecutor’s office for the fact that it “takes a long time and not always efficiently” to carry out our investigative orders, which leads to delays in cases. John Ashcroft made similar claims to Mr. Ustinov.

Talking about future plans for cooperation, the parties noted that it would be a good idea to conclude an agreement on the mutual extradition of criminals. This topic is very relevant - in recent years, the United States has repeatedly refused to extradite us. The prosecutors general also raised the issue of mutual assistance in civil and family matters. Now, due to the lack of appropriate agreements, Russians often have problems receiving inheritance, alimony, etc. in the United States. These topics, although considered important, have been postponed for further consultations.

In the near future, Russia and the United States plan to sign an agreement on the exchange of information and the creation of joint contact groups on individual investigations. Among others, the criminal case of four Russians detained by the Americans during the operation in Afghanistan and now being held at the Guantanamo Bay base in Cuba was discussed. Mr. Ashcroft promised to consider the possibility of extraditing the militants to the Russian Federation, although he noted that the American military prosecutor’s office does not report to him. The issue of joint investigations into cases of money laundering was also raised at the meeting. Both Russia and the United States are currently conducting several major cases of international “laundries”, including those related to BONY. Moreover, the parties did not find a common language on them until recently. Partly related to this topic is the question of the treasures of the famous company “Golden ADA”. Most of them were exported from Russia to the USA, and so far we have not been able to return the funds in full.

The prosecutors general also talked about the “Russian mafia.” Its most prominent representative in the United States, thief in law Vyacheslav Ivankov, nicknamed Yaponchik, is serving a prison sentence in an American prison, and at the same time a murder case has been opened against him in Russia. Vladimir Ustinov, although he called the “Russian mafia” more “the fruit of journalistic fantasies,” still promised the Americans help in fighting it. Yesterday, John Ashcroft also held a meeting with the head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Boris Gryzlov, at which joint measures to combat international terrorism were discussed.

Alexander SHVAREV