The Russian Mafia Case. The Iosif Kobzon Case.
Published on: 28 September 2016
On 9 December 1992, the article named “Under the wing of O.V.” by Larissa Kislinskaya was published in the newspaper “Soviet Russia”. The author once again loudly and groundlessly charged the well-known singer, Iosif Kobzon, Anatoly Kucherena’s client, of the connection with the so called “Russian mafia”.
According to the “revelatory” article, Iosif Kobzon rendered assistance in early discharge of the “mafia boss”, Vyacheslav Ivankov, better known as Yaponchik and protected the interests of many other criminal bosses.
This allegation proved to be nothing but defamation. In consequence of which a claim for protection of the honour and dignity of Iosif Kobzon was filed in July 1994.
The effect of the case was more than the case deserved. It was the start day of formation of the “Russian mafia” image which appeared to be in great demand in and outside Russia.