The number of ethnic Russians in Antwerp has increased Falcoplein the square at its center has been nicknamed "Red Square." (DUIU1, 1997, p.82) c. s. Cyprus The Mediterranean island is a popular location for money laundering, as well as a destination for the Russian capital. In 1996 about $ 1.3 million is estimated to come to Cyprus from Russia each month.36 With the main attraction is in Cyprus double taxation agreement with Russia, it is estimated that 2,000 Russian companies operating in the country. In late 1995, a wave of bombings in Lirnassol is believed to partly related to the increase in Russian gang rivalry. The attacks, which killed several people, followed by the deportation of many Russians to Cyprus in the previous month to raise money for fellow companies.
(DuIU1, 1997, p.82) d. Czech Republic The Czech Republic suffers from the problem of gangs that Russia has used the Soviet Union's relations for years to create in Prague. Consequently, some 3.000 to 4.000 is believed that organized criminals operating in the Czech capital. The bands in Prague tend to focus on drug and weapons trafficking, extortion and protection rackets, armed robbery and money laundering. About 70 percent of drugs coming to Germany via Prague.
Moreover, Russia and Prague prefer bands based in central Europe and, at times, use the city as their meeting point. The group of friends in the Czech capital has great power and access to officials. In December of 1995, Vladimir Nechanicky, head of the Interior Ministry internal investigations department (Ministry of supervision), was fired for alleged ties to Russian organized crime groups.