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A “Vor v Zakone,” meaning “Thief in Law,” is a title from the Soviet and post-Soviet criminal underworld. It refers to a highly respected and influential figure within organized crime who follows a strict criminal code and is recognized by other criminals. Traditionally, a Vor v Zakone avoids cooperation with state authorities, does not work with police, and acts as an authority who can settle disputes between criminal groups. The title is not simply another word for “mafia boss”; it represents a specific criminal status, hierarchy, and set of traditions that developed in Soviet prison and criminal culture. Today, the term is still associated with organized crime networks in parts of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.