AVIATION

19 OCTOBER 2020: NEW YORK, NEW YORK

After a joint investigation by the New York City Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10 Aeroflot crew members were charged with smuggling over USD $50 million worth of stolen Apple products to Russia. Eight crew members, Sayuz Daibagya, Akmal Asadov, Kirill Sokhonchuk, Anton Perevoznikov, Marat Shadkhin, Shohruh Saidov, Zokir Iskanderov and Azamat Bobomurodov, were arrested; two others are believed to have been involved. Sayuz Daibagya allegedly instructed the crew members to travel to the US and steal the electronic goods. 113 visas issued by the US to former and current Aeroflot crew members who are suspected of being involved in the smuggling ring have been revoked due to the investigation. Aeroflot alleged that those charged are neither former nor current employees of the company.