Authorities have captured the assassins responsible for the murder of Sergey Nesteruk, the prominent leader of the Tashkent organized crime group (OPG). Nesteruk, previously one of the most feared mobsters operating from Velikiye Luki, was ambushed on the Baltiya highway on his return from Latvia, where he attended the funeral of another gang member, Slava Pitersky of the Velikolukskaya OPG.
The attack took place in April 2009 when Nesteruk's Mercedes was gunned down with AK-47 and AKS-74U assault rifles. Both he and his bodyguard were killed on the spot, and the attackers managed to escape from the scene. Following this act of violence, the Tashkent group effectively ceased operations, at least temporarily.
Recent developments reveal the arrest of three suspects connected to the killing. The detained individuals are Konstatin K., 50 years old and previously convicted of robbery; Alexander G., 42 years old and without prior convictions; and Denis S., 46 years old, also with no prior criminal record. Two of the suspects were apprehended in Pskov, and one was arrested in St. Petersburg. They have been charged with 'murder of two or more people,' which carries the possibility of life imprisonment.
According to reports, the murders were orchestrated by members of the rival Velikolukskaya OPG, stemming from conflicts over control of criminal territories. Velikiye Luki, during Nesteruk's reign, was notorious for its criminal activity, with the Tashkentskiye notorious for extorting local businesses. Nesteruk had built the Tashkent gang by bringing together former athletes and individuals skilled in intimidation tactics, creating a reputation of violence and ruthlessness.
The Pskov region, where the Tashkentskiye were active, was once considered under the sway of Nesteruk and his affiliates, who often employed severe methods—including arson and strong-arm tactics—to enforce their control. Their adversaries, the Velikolukskie, gained strength during this era, extending their influence even as the Tashkent group began to falter after Nesteruk's assassination.
The long-awaited capture of the suspects opens new chapters not only for the investigation but also serves as a chilling reminder of the violent history of organized crime in Russia, stretching back to the tumultuous 1990s. Legal experts predict significant consequences for the arrestees as the Tver Court begins to process the case against them.
Details have emerged on one of the convicted killers, Alexei Sherstobitov, known as Lesha Soldat, who received parole approval from the administration of Lipetsk's correctional colony No. 2, where he was serving over two decades for murder, hinting at the unpredictable nature of criminal sentencing and justice within Russian criminal systems.
The criminal milieu surrounding Nesteruk’s demise remains complex, with relations between gangs often steeped in rivalry, betrayal, and power struggles. Despite the arrests, concerns persist about retaliatory actions from rival factions and the potential emergence of new leaders within the fractured criminal networks.
With the legal proceedings set to commence, the Tver Court will likely become the center of attention for both media and organized crime watchers, eager to see how justice will be served following this high-profile case.