Suspect in Caucasian Mafia Boss Murder Has 38 Previous Convictions Spanning Decades

Yanis Yusubayev, the suspect in the murder of the Caucasian mafia leader, is well known to Israeli law enforcement with nearly 40 years of criminal involvement. His extensive record includes 38 convictions for various offenses such as property crimes, drug offenses, threats, violence, weapons possession, obstruction of justice, and repeated violations of legal orders. Notably, a recurring pattern in his criminal history involves agricultural thefts, including stealing horses and cattle, sometimes involving trespassing and collaboration with others.

Most recently, Yusubayev was accused of breaking into a stable in Kibbutz Moran with an accomplice, cutting a fence, and stealing a mare valued at approximately 15,000 shekels. He was arrested in a warehouse in a residential building in Hadera, found carrying a Japanese knife. Due to concerns he might be armed with a firearm, the arrest was conducted by a specialized Yamam unit to ensure officer safety.

Yusubayev, around 40 years old and a resident of Or Akiva, has been repeatedly targeted by the Coastal District Police (Yamr Hof) as a crime organization leader. Despite numerous arrests and investigations over the years, significant indictments had not materialized until now. He was shot dead on Sunday at a gas station near Caesarea, with the killing captured on security cameras.

His defense attorney, Yaron Shomron, stated that Yusubayev denies any connection to the murder, claiming he never met the victim and has no disputes with him. The lawyer expressed confidence that Yusubayev would be released soon and criticized the arrest operation as overly aggressive, likening it to treating his client as a dangerous terrorist.

The police continue to investigate the murder, which has drawn significant attention due to Yusubayev's criminal background and the violent nature of the killing.