Page "Thief in law" Paragraph 9

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the vory assumed a leading role within the Russian criminal hierarchy ( see Russian Mafia ).

The group was able to " infiltrate the top political and economic strata while taking command of the burgeoning crime network that spread murderously through the post-Soviet countries.

" Thieves In Law are given the title by other vory and in order to be accepted they must demonstrate considerable leadership skills, personal ability, intellect, charisma, along with a well-documented criminal record.

Once accepted they must live according to the thieves ' code.

The penalty for violation of this code is often mutilation or death.

Reportedly, " today the Vory have spread around the world, to Madrid, Berlin, and New York " and are " involved in everything from petty theft to billion-dollar money-laundering while also acting as arbiters among conflicting Russian criminal factions.