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Read Full BioA far-right Russian vigilante group claims it helped police close down an illegal casino that catered to migrants in Novosibirsk, Siberia’s largest city.
The media outlet BFM’s Novosibirsk branch reported that the raid was carried out by the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Novosibirsk branch), as well as the Investigative Committee and the Russian National Guard.
The media outlet wrote that “representatives of the Russian Community (RO)” also took part in the operation.
Did Russian Vigilante Group Work With Police on Casino Raid?
The RO is a far-right vigilante group that has been accused of spreading Islamophobia and anti-migrant rhetoric in Russia. Law enforcement press services did not report on the raid or the RO’s alleged involvement.
However, the RO posted a three-minute video on its Telegram channel showing several of its members, dressed much like Russian police officers (but sporting an RO insignia), chasing down alleged casino patrons.
Many of the RO members sport tactical vests and helmets in the video. Some members use battering rams to break into the building.
The footage also shows the vigilante group forcing several men to stand against a wall before other members of the group break into a large building.
Inside, several computers appear to be running slot machine-related apps. The militia members reported that when law enforcement officers turned up on the scene, patrons and casino employees tried to escape.
All of these individuals were detained at the site, RO said. The vigilante group said the video was a testament to the “professional” work of its members. RO wrote: “We thank the Novosibirsk law enforcement officers for their conscientious work.”
The RO has a chequered history with Russian law enforcers. Some media outlets say police have carried out operations in conjunction with the group.
However, the RO has also faced legal action after carrying out unauthorized raids on suspected drug rings. The vigilante group recently faced public backlash after it published a video showing its members forcing legal Kyrgyz migrant workers to submit to humiliating checks at a construction site.
RO: Granted a Free Reign to Crack Down on Crime?
Some Russians have complained that the group has the freedom to operate as a quasi-law enforcement agency.
Speaking to the media outlet 66.ru last month, the RO’s Yekaterinburg chief Igor Chernoskutov appeared to embrace this notion. He said: “We coordinate with the security forces. We tell them when we are ready to move. We tell them what time we will go. The RO tells [the police] about the routes it will take to arrive at crime scenes. We have relations with the Federal Security Service. The RO also speaks to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee.”
The group’s popularity has spiked nationwide since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the popularity of gambling continues to rise in Russia. As a response, the government has drafted a law that could soon let vulnerable citizens opt into “self-prohibition programs.”
Last month, the Russian government suggested it could soon do away with mandatory on-site inspections at the country’s five legal casinos.
