The court of Shkodra has accepted the request of Russia to extradite the Russian citizen, Igor Kokunov, who is accused of the criminal offense of receiving duties in the high hierarchy of criminal structures in Russia. 

We recall that the 59-year-old requested political asylum in Albania, claiming that his life is in danger in Russia, but the court decided on extradition. 

The criminal offense for which Kokunov is accused carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 

The operation for his capture was coded "Moscow" and was carried out by the Muriqani border police and the Shkodra police, based on information exchanged between Interpol Tirana and Interpol Moscow. 

Who is the crime boss "Igor Kokunov"? 

Crime boss Igor Kokunov, also known as "Vasya Bandit", escaped on February 22, 2022 from house arrest pending trial, Russian newspapers reported. 

Kokunov is accused of crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, robbery, fraud and organizing illegal business. 

Vasya Bandit was arrested by the Russian authorities in June 2020, he is also accused of coordinating criminals in the Sergiev Posad, Chekhov and Podolsk regions of the Moscow region for 27 years.