FBIS4-43965 "drweu121_a_94001"
FBIS-WEU-94-121 Daily Report 22 Jun 1994
AUSTRIA

Loeschnak, Russia's Yerin Discuss Organized Crime

Loeschnak, Russia's Yerin Discuss Organized Crime AU2206122394 Vienna Oesterreich Eins Radio Network in German 1000 GMT 22 Jun 94 AU2206122394 Vienna Oesterreich Eins Radio Network German BFN [Report on news conference by Interior Minister Franz Loeschnak and Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin by Robert Stoppacher in Vienna on 22 June -- recorded] [Text] [Stoppacher] After the collapse of the Soviet Union, crime has risen dramatically in the successor states. Organized crime is a particularly serious problem. About 2,000 to 3,000 gangs specialized in extorting protection money, illegal deals, and speculation are now active in Russia. According to the Austrian Interior Ministry, money of the so-called Russian mafia is also reaching Austria. This problem was also a major issue that was discussed during the working visit to Austria by Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin. Interior Minister Franz Loeschnak and his Russian counterpart mainly discussed drug trafficking, economic crime, and immigration problems. The two officials are resolved to take joint action, particularly in the fight against organized crime. An intensive exchange of information should help stop criminal activities by Russian gangs. The Russian mafia -- a term that Loeschnak's opposite number does not like -- is to be stopped. Austrian authorities have received information recently that enormous sums resulting from Russian crime are being invested in Austria through the establishment of various companies that specialize in trade and the procurement of goods. Interior Minister Loeschnak spoke of companies that obviously serve organized crime. [Loeschnak] In addition, there are individual cases of companies in Austria and in Russia that have only one or two employees and an office with a telephone, but which have a turnover of hundreds of millions of schillings. Thus, one must ask whether there is something fishy about these companies, and whether the money that is being deposited has been earned in noncriminal activity. There have been several such cases in the past few months. Thus, in the event of dubious deals, we will increasingly investigate, with the support of the Russian executive bodies and on the basis of the existing banking laws in Austria, where the money comes from. [Stoppacher] Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin reported the following on the structure of organized crime in Russia. [Yerin] The connection between economic and everyday crime is typical of organized crime. Moreover, these groups are bribing public employees. Thus, you can rest assured that we will inform you fully on their activities after a full investigation. [Stoppacher] Thus, the Russian mafia, international drug trafficking, and the smuggling of refugees is to be fought together with the Austrian authorities. Viktor Yerin also stressed that nobody needs to be afraid of a wave of emigration to Austria, involving millions of Russian, as has repeatedly been mentioned by the media. The situation has already stabilized to a certain extent in Russia. Numerous Russians even want to return to home.