Russian gang convicted of coup attempt

Russia Members of a loosely organized crime ring have been sentenced to prison in Sverdlovsk Region for plotting to establish an independent Urals Republic. In the summer of 2011 police uncovered the so-called “Minin and Pozharsky People’s Militia,” named after national heroes who successfully fought against Polish invaders in the 17th century. Ring leader Leonid Khabarov, the former head of the military department of the Urals State Technical University, was convicted of plotting an armed coup and illegal drugs possession. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Accordin…

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