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Shocking video: Moment alleged 'Caucasian mafia' chief is executed in Israel; manhunt underway
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Shocking video: Moment alleged 'Caucasian mafia' chief is executed in Israel; manhunt underway

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Yanis Yushayev, identified as the head of the "Caucasian mafia" in Israel, was assassinated in a public shooting on Sunday.
  • Security footage captured the moment a gunman approached Yushayev from behind and shot him in the head at close range.
  • Authorities have launched a large-scale manhunt for the suspect, who reportedly used a silicone mask and escaped in a burning getaway vehicle.

Yanis Yushayev, identified as the head of the "Caucasian mafia" in Israel, was assassinated in a brazen daylight shooting on Sunday. The 40-year-old fell victim to a close-range gunshot to the back of the head as he exited a building.

He had no pulse and was not breathing, and had sustained serious injuries.

— Israeli ambulance serviceDescribing Yushayev's condition upon arrival at the hospital.

Security cameras recorded the shocking incident. The gunman, disguised in a grey hoodie, cargo pants, and a baseball cap, calmly approached Yushayev and his two companions. As they walked away, the assailant turned, drew a weapon, and fired. Yushayev's companions reacted in horror as the shooter fled the scene in Caesarea. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead due to severe injuries.

Israeli police have launched a massive manhunt for the assailant, setting up roadblocks and deploying helicopters. Reports suggest the gunman may have used a realistic silicone mask to conceal his identity and escaped in a vehicle that was later found abandoned and set ablaze.

The assassin used a hyper-realistic 'second skin' silicone mask to cover his facial features.

— Social media reportsDescribing the gunman's disguise.

Local media identified Yushayev as a figure known to authorities, with multiple arrests for violent crimes including shootings and grenade attacks, though he was never convicted. He was previously detained at Ben Gurion Airport and released due to insufficient evidence. A police representative had described him in court as the leader of a criminal gang involved in "bloody feuds."

The police representative had described him in court as 'the head of a criminal gang involved in bloody feuds.'

— Israeli police sourceCharacterizing Yushayev's role in organized crime.

Despite his alleged criminal activities, Yushayev also operated a restaurant and claimed to be a legitimate businessman. He reportedly maintained a low profile in his communications, earning the absolute loyalty of his associates, which made him difficult to prosecute, according to police sources.

It was difficult to prosecute him because he almost never spoke on the phone and had absolute loyalty from his associates.

— Israeli police sourceExplaining the challenges in prosecuting Yushayev.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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