MOSCOW, June 19 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court has upheld extended detention for the alleged leader of an organized criminal group Yury Pichugin charged with creation of a gang and weapon trafficking until August 18, the press-service of the court has told RAPSI.

In February, Russia’s Investigative Committee reported that it managed to disrupt activity of an organized criminal group operating in the Komi Republic.

According to investigators, in 1994, Pichugin organized a gang, which included athletes, former law enforcement officers and military servicemen. The crime syndicate was involved in racket, large scale embezzlement, robbery, real estate fraud and other crimes, including management of funds transferred to and from prison inmates.