The Executive Director of the Organized Russian and Eurasian Crime and Research Unit at Keel University indicated that he had done research into this question, but abandoned it after concluding that there is no real pattern to the types of weapons used by Russian organized criminals; they run the gamut from 357 magnums to SVD sniper rifles to Russian military weapons (26 Apr. 2000). He stated that the weapons used by these criminals seem to follow momentary fashions; so, for example, one year 357 magnums might be popular, while the following year military spec 9mm automatic weapons might be the weapon of choice.

A Moscow Times reporter provided only general information on this subject - that, for example TTs are used for assassinations and SVD sniper rifles are used for more high-profile targets. He mentioned that Kalashnikovs are used as well (26 Apr. 2000).

News sources make only general references when referring to illegal weapons. In July 1999, for example, in Eastern Russia, police seized from a suspected "underground weapons factory" "a Dragunov sniper rifle, a Kalashnikov submachine-gun, a Simonov carbine, Makarov and TT pistols" among other items (Itar-Tass 14 July 1999). In January 1999, Moscow's "anti-mafia" police seized "a Makarov pistol, two foreign pistols" and other items from a Moscow Region home (Itar-Tass 29 Jan. 1999). The Christian Science Monitor notes that "in Russia, with the right connections you can buy almost any weapon from corrupt Army officers, whether a simple Makharov pistol, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, or a land mine. All these weapons, and more, have been used by hit-men in the past" (1 Aug. 1997).

The Dragunov SVD is described as follows on the Website devoted to AK-47s:

The SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova)-Dragunov Sniping Rifle was the first rifle designed from scratch as a sniper rifle, and was introduced in the 1950's. It has very limited similarities to the Kalashnikov series of rifles. The SVD can be expected to shoot 2 MOA with quality ammo. The Dragunov self loading sniper's rifle is intended for engaging fleeting, moving, open and masked single targets. Aimed fire is delivered by single shots. For convenient handling the sniper's rifle on march, in landing and transporting in various kinds of war vehicles (armored infantry vehicles, armored vehicles, helicopters and other) the rifle is equipped with a folding butt. Provided in the set are: magazines; accessories for cleaning and oiling: oiler. Knife-bayonet; rifle sling; optical sight with SPTA. While the weapon is a bit crude when it comes to workmanship, it still functioned flawlessly. ... The rifle is extremely deadly, even with cheap surplus ammo, out to about 600 meters. .... The SVD is not a true sniper rifle in today's terms, but it performs exceptionally well for what it was designed for, a weapon to extend the range of the average rifle squad (n.d.).

Further information and specs on the SV-Dragunov, as well as information on the SV-99, which may be of relevance, are attached to this Response. The Research Directorate was unable to obtain detailed specifications on the other guns named without further information. Two other sources contacted did not reply within the time limits of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 1 August 1997. Peter Ford. "Crime-Wary Russians Get Their Guns." http://www.csmonitor.com [Accessed 20 Apr. 2000]

Itar-Tass [Moscow, in English]. 14 July 1999. Alfred Artamonov. "Russia Security Arrest Two for Illegal Arms Production." (FBIS-SOV-1999-0714 14 July 1999/WNC)

_____. 29 January 1999. Mikhail Arkhipov and Anatoliy Yurkin. "Russian Police Seize Arms Cache in Moscow Region." (FBIS-SOV-99-029/WNC)

Moscow Times. 27 April 2000. Telephone Interview with reporter.

Organized Russian and Eurasian Crime Research Unit, Keel University, UK. 26 April 2000. Telephone interview with the Executive Director.

"Dragunov SVD." n.d. http://www.ak-47.net/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2000]

"SV-99 Sniper Rifle." n.d. http://www.club.guns.ru [Accessed 27 Apr. 2000]