The origin, evolution and structure of „thieves in law”

The presented study about community of vory v zakone deals with the community of criminal authorities from former USSR, which structures emerged in organized crime after the collapse of USSR. The historical background and the circumstances of the criminal elites´ development, which enabled the rise of vory v zakone is observed. The study describes internal structure of the community,its organization and correlations. Different traditions of criminal world in Caucasus are dealt with as well. The author concludes with the analysis of the contemporary situation in "thieves" world.The presented study about community of vory v zakone deals with the community of criminal authorities from former USSR, which structures emerged in organized crime after the collapse of USSR. The historical background and the circumstances of the criminal elites´ development, which enabled the rise of vory v zakone is observed. The study describes internal structure of the community,its organization and correlations. Different traditions of criminal world in Caucasus are dealt with as well. The author concludes with the analysis of the contemporary situation in "thieves" world