Thief in law

Thief in law (Russian воры в законе, Wory w sakone; Georgian კანონიერი ქურდები, Kanonieri K'urdebi ) is the name for a particular group of criminals, which mostly come from the states of the former Soviet Union and were attributed to organized crime. The " thieves in law" are not members of an organization belonging together, but each leader of a regional association. However, they belong to a common subculture that developed during the Soviet Union's own organizational structures, communication forms and codes of conduct.

Background

Formation

Even at the time of Tsar established itself in Russia organized crime. During this time, the " thieves in law" enjoyed a respect which is to be compared with that of Robin Hood. These criminals call themselves probably since the Stalin era and the time of the prison camp, called the Gulag, " thieves in law". There were wicked and free people who tried to escape serfdom. The Stalin's tenure rigid enforced policy of repression meant in the 1920s for opponents of the regime and criminals often equally detention. Some of them formed up to this organization, which soon had great influence within the prison camp.

Presence

This form of organization still exists today. It is the latest internationally active since the turn from 1992 and in the organized crime world's great influence. It is remarkable that the " thieves in law" earlier in the socialist as well as today in bourgeois society enjoyed a high reputation, which is due to its history as a resistance fighter in the Stalin era. The " thieves in law" come not only from Russia, many of them also come from Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia or from other former Soviet republics.

The " thieves law"

The "thieves" were living more than today according to their own social rules to investigate this " thieves law" that prohibits them, among other things, cooperate with the authorities in any way, to start a family or a regular job. The members pay into a common fund ( " Abschtschak "), which is centrally managed and shared interests and lifestyle of the higher-ranking members will be financed with their money. Also for the financial support of imprisoned members of the money is intended. The "thieves" hold regular meetings ( S'chodka ), whose decisions must be complied with. The Abschtschak is also available in correctional facilities - also in Germany. He is also intended to provide new prisoners for the first detention until their first purchase with food and tobacco.

Tattoos

An important distinguishing feature of the thieves in the law are their distinctive tattoos. They provide information on the status of the " thief " but also, for example, about his convictions and prison sentences. In Soviet times, was in the drawings, the mockery of the state, for example, by denigration of the text of the Soviet national anthem, consistently. The tattoos were explored extensively by Danzig Baldajew.

Who tattoos attaches itself that do not belong to him, or adorns herself with crimes he did not commit falls in reputation on the bottom step. He is shunned by the other prisoners, despised and sometimes even murdered, mostly those tattoos are forcibly removed ..

Today, it is observed that members of the organization to avoid new tattoos or can even remove old - probably to be found in the bourgeois high society, in which some of their riches input, not a stir, even if they are taken so strictly against its own " thieves law" violated.

The thieves in the law and the shadow Justice

These are unofficial jurisdictions in the Russian Federation, which are called above all to to regulate property disputes. Here it is for the "court" irrelevant whether the dispute are legal or illegal facts as a basis. In both cases, the judge may be called. The " judges " are always criminal authorities and sakone in many cases Wory w. Your judgment must be followed. One of the parties refuses to accept the verdict, it will, if appropriate, enforced with violence

Known " thieves in law"

• Semyon Mogilevich Judkowitsch
• Dschaba Iosseliani
• Vyacheslav Ivankov
• Alimzhan Tokhtakhunov
• Vitalij Djomotschka
• Leonid Bilunov

Documentary and feature film

• Alexander Gentelev (director): The honor of the Godfather, Germany, 2008, 89 min documentation, will be interviewed in detail in some "authorities" who are millionaires and successful businessmen, inter alia, in Israel or France today.
• The 2007 getting on in cinemas film Eastern Promises - Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Naomi Watts, et al examines the background of a Wory family in contemporary London.
• In the face of crime, Germany in 2010, ten-part TV series by Dominik Graf about Russian mafia in Berlin, which focuses, inter alia, the Ehrenkodices the operating bands.
• Siberian Education, Italy 2013 ( Educazione siberiana ), directed by Gabriele Salvatores, cinema.