As VChK-OGPU and Rucriminal.info have learned, "thief-in-law" Akhmed Dombaev (Akhmed Shalinsky) has made a "triumphant" return to Moscow after a five-year absence. This move followed a change in the FSB officer overseeing the "thieves-in-law," and by all accounts, the security service itself initiated Akhmed's return to the capital. He is slated to become the "boss" of all the Caucasus clans—a role he has already begun to assume. Two intrigues are at play here. First, Dombaev is on the federal wanted list for holding a top position in the criminal hierarchy. Second, there is the question of how the "thieves-in-law" headquarters—led by Zakhar Kalashov (Shakro)—will react, given that the decision to suspend Dombaev’s title in 2021 was made with their involvement.
According to our source, the return is indeed "triumphant," as Dombaev moves around the capital with an armed entourage of at least twenty men. He has already been spotted in locations long considered the turf of Azerbaijani criminal clans. He has also been seen conversing with prominent businessmen of Azerbaijani descent. This is hardly surprising, given that the Azerbaijani mafia currently lacks a clear leader. Vagif Suleymanov—himself a "thief-in-law"—is widely viewed as a "pensioner" who holds no real sway. He prefers to spend his time drinking with a friend—fellow "thief-in-law" Suren Tavadov (Surik Andizhansky), who also wields no actual power. They used to have a third drinking companion, Nugzar Torchinav (Torchik), but he was arrested for extortion in July. Taleh Dagliev (Tolik Noginsky) was exiled to Pyatigorsk by the FSB and ordered not to appear in Moscow. "Crime boss" Ulfat Tagiev (Rufo) is banned from entering the Russian Federation; he orchestrates "showdowns"—including those involving gunfire—from afar (our project recently reported on these). Meanwhile, Zaur Aliev (Zayka)—a "Special Military Operation hero" and underworld figure—is also instigating "showdowns" within the Azerbaijani community, though so far without the use of firearms. In the absence of any clear leader, the situation in the Azerbaijani criminal underworld threatened to devolve into an endless cycle of shootouts, brawls, and the like—a scenario that had played out before. Then Akhmed Shalinsky appeared in Moscow and began bringing these various Azerbaijani clans and groups under his control. Sources say he won't stop there; other Caucasian clans are next on the list.
Of course, Dombayev could not simply have arrived in Moscow and started operating actively after five years while on the federal wanted list. Such a move could only have happened with the FSB's approval. As VChK-OGPU and Rucriminal.info previously reported, the summer saw a change in leadership at the 8th Department of the FSB’s Directorate K—the unit responsible for overseeing underworld leaders. Rustam Abdrafikov, who disliked Dombayev and opposed his presence in Moscow, was replaced by Dmitry Klimov, a former official from the FSB’s Directorate M. Klimov clearly took a liking to Akhmed Shalinsky. Dombayev has had a special relationship with the security services since his youth; suffice it to say that he received a lengthy prison sentence for carrying out raids on cargo transporters alongside an FSB officer. And when you have that kind of backing, the fact that you are on the wanted list—with your profile posted on the Russian Interior Ministry’s website—ceases to matter. The police would act the same way, too.
However, there was another issue surrounding his return. When Dombayev was released from prison, Kazbek Dukuzov—the leading Chechen mafia figure (and the very man who killed *Forbes* editor-in-chief Paul Klebnikov)—refused to recognize him as an independent player. Since both Dombayev and Dukuzov enjoyed the favor of the Chechen authorities, Dukuzov did not openly feud with him. Yet, the criminal underworld is rife with intrigues and conspiracies—sometimes even more intense than those in show business. Consequently, with the involvement of "thieves-in-law" close to Dukuzov, a gathering took place in Greece in 2021 to strip Akhmed Shalinsky of his title. More than twenty-five thieves-in-law attended the meeting, which was presided over by the venerable and respected Kamo Safaryan. In absentia—as he did not travel to Greece—Dombayev was accused of embezzling 150 million rubles from the criminal underworld’s common fund (*obshchak*). Photographs of Akhmed Shalinsky’s lavish mansion in Chechnya served as evidence of his "ill-gotten gains"; the property was unmistakable, featuring massive "thieves' stars" on its gates. Because Dombayev failed to answer questions regarding the fate of the common fund's money, the gathering ruled to suspend his status as a thief-in-law. Although Shakro was serving a prison sentence at the time, he did not object to the decision, and a formal notice regarding the ruling was soon circulated throughout the penal system. Dombayev himself refused to accept the gathering's decision; notably, he was supported by a whole group of other "thieves-in-law."
By the time the gathering took place, Akhmed Shalinsky was no longer in Russia, though his life abroad did not turn out well. He was initially detained in Turkey on suspicion of organizing an attack on an individual opposed to the Chechen authorities, but was released. He was not welcome in Dubai either. Consequently, he arrived in Chechnya—a place where, as is well known, one can live undisturbed even while on the wanted list. Dukuzov is a case in point. He did not appear in Moscow—at least, not until the Russian FSB needed him in the capital.
According to a source, Dombaev identifies himself exclusively as a "thief-in-law" and says he would be interested to see who dares to challenge that claim. This places the "thieves-in-law" leadership—headed by Shakro—in an awkward position. Refusing to recognize Akhmed Shalinsky’s status threatens trouble both with Dombaev himself (who commands a small army of gunmen) and with the "authorities." Yet, recognizing him—or simply trying to "turn a blind eye" to the situation—would raise questions among the participants of that infamous gathering in Greece.
