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2 alleged members of Russian mafia denied bail in Portugal
LISBON, Portugal – A lawyer says two men arrested in Portugal on suspicion of forming part of a Russian mafia group that allegedly infiltrated a Portuguese soccer club to launder money have been denied bail and ordered to remain in preventive custody.
Alexander Tolstikov, president of third-division Uniao de Leiria and Sergiu Renita, his aide, were detained by Lisbon’s Central Criminal Court, the defendants’ lawyer Joaquim Malafia told journalists Saturday.
Pedro Violante, the club’s financial adviser, was released but ordered to not to leave Portugal.
Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, said Portuguese and European police on Tuesday raided the club and arrested three suspected key members of a Russian mafia gang.
An agency statement said the suspects allegedly laundered millions of euros (dollars) through player transfers, TV rights deals and betting.
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