Organized Crime in Europe

Organized Crime and Corruption in Ukraine

Tatiana Zhukova, from the Classic Private University, made a contribution to the 2012 Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, in the category “Crime and Society,” under the title “Organized Crime and Corruption in Ukraine”. Here is the abstract: The growth of the shadow economy in Ukraine is a symptom of the government's loss of the capacity and it demonstrates a systemic weakness of the Ukrainian state to perform its basic functions. This vacuum of power and authority creates opportunities for criminal groups with various degrees of organization, and encourages government officials. It is called the symbiosis of corruption and organized crime. The term “organized crime” has multiple meanings. Most scholars in Ukraine and Russia distinguish three levels of organized criminal groups. A base level comprising the majority of gangs of extortionists, thieves, swindlers, and narcotics traders. The middle level involves relatively large formations with connections to authorities at the regional level. This level is often called a criminal organization. The high level has influence and links with international groups and possessing means to launder money. Business activities of organized criminal groups in particular sectors are in organized prostitution; the narcotics trade; the theft and sale of automobiles and weapons; the acquisition and trade of antiques, jewelry, and rare books; and banks and credit.

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Further Reading

• “Organized Crime and Corruption in Ukraine”, by Tatiana Zhukova (Proceedings)