Title

Crime and Corruption in Russia

Friday, June 10, 1994
2359, Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
United States
Official Transcript: 
PDF icon Crime and Corruption in Russia.pdf
Members: 
Name: 
Samuel Wise
Title Text: 
Staff Director
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses: 
Name: 
Dr. Louise Shelley
Title: 
Department of Justice, Law and Society
Body: 
American University
Name: 
Stephen Handelman
Title: 
Associate Fellow
Body: 
Harriman Center of Columbia University

The rationale of this briefing, which Commission Staff Director Sam Wise presided over, was that of a marked increase of crime in Russia. At the time of this briefing, crime had become the dominant subject in Russian politics. Unsurprisingly, the extent of crime in Russia had significant implications for its society, specifically for hte viability of the state. In fact, President Yeltsin had called crime the Russian state’s gravest threat.

A question that Wise brought up in the briefing was the possibility of criminals taking over the Russian Federation’s government. Another possibility that Wise mentioned was election of authoritarian, repressive leaders who would make Russia safe. Witnesses in the briefing included Dr. Louise Shelly of American University’s Department of Justice, Law and Society, and Stephen Handelman, Associate Fellow at the Harriman Center of Columbia University.

Relevant issues: 
Corruption
Relevant countries: 
Russian Federation
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