MOSCOW, Jan. 26 (JTA) — Israeli officials are trying to revoke the citizenship of as many as 30 alleged Russian mafia chiefs currently living in the Jewish state, according to reports in the Russian media. Israel announced last week that it might soon deport one of the alleged mobsters, Anton Malevsky, who reportedly heads one of Moscow’s most notorious organized crime groups. Malevsky, 31, settled in Israel in 1994 after leaving Russia, reportedly because he feared that rival gangs would assassinate him. He received an Israeli passport the same year. But even Malevsky’s departure from Russia did not discourage his foes, who reportedly hired two former Israeli cops to try to murder him in Israel. The attempt was foiled when the two hitmen were arrested in the spring of 1995. Russian police believe Malevsky may have been linked to organizing several contract killings and to drug dealing. Malevsky has also been placed on the federal list of the most wanted criminals by Moscow’s Anti-Organized Crime Unit. These findings prompted the Israeli Interior Ministry to revoke Malevsky’s citizenship earlier this week. Malevsky’s lawyer, Yoram Sheftel, has already filed an appeal with the Jewish state’s Supreme Court. Sheftel’s other client is Zvi Ben-Ari, also known as Gregory Lerner, another alleged member of the Russian mafia. The Israeli Supreme Court is expected to decide in late February whether to reinstate Malevsky’s citizenship or deport him.
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