Russian mafia boss acquitted
18/07/2005 19:41  - (SA)  

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Moscow - A Moscow jury on Monday acquitted one of the most notorious figures in the Russian criminal underworld, Vyacheslav Ivankov, better known as "Yaponchik," of murder charges, news agencies reported.

Ivankov was cleared of having shot dead two Turkish citizens, allegedly because an attendant took their coats before his, at a Moscow restaurant in January 1992.

"Thank you," news agencies quoted the 65-year-old as saying to the jurors following the verdict, which came after the main witness against him unexpectedly retracted his testimony in early July.

Ivankov was released from custody in the courtroom.

Prosecutors said they would appeal the verdict.

- AFP

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