Vory v Zakone

Vory v Zakoke (literally "Thieves in the Law", more accurately "Thieves Under the Law") are members of organized crime specifically granted formal special status; professional criminals who enjoy an elite position among other criminals within the organized crime environment, and even hold authority over other members. Each Vor ("Thief") is vetted and then crowned with respective rituals and tattoos by several Vory; in order to be accepted one must demonstrate considerable leadership skills, personal ability, intellect, charisma, all along with a well-documented criminal record. Once accepted, one must live according to the thieves' code. The penalty for violation of this code is often mutilation or death.

History
The Thieves formed as a society for ruling the criminal underworld within the Russian Empire, and later governed the dark gaps in Soviet life beyond the reach of the government. They accordingly adopted a system of collective responsibility, and swore to a code of complete submission to the laws of criminal life, including obligations to support the criminal ideal, rejection of legitimate employment and refusal to participate in all pro-government activities.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990's, the Vory assumed a leading role within the Russian criminal hierarchy, by  taking command of the burgeoning crime network. They are now involved in everything from petty theft to billion-dollar money-laundering while also acting as arbiters among lesser groups - that is to say, mostly everyone.

The Thieves' Code
The known parts of the Thieves' Code are:


 * 1) Defend and love all relatives - parents, siblings, etc.
 * 2) Not have children of one's own (one does not have to abandon children born before becoming a Vor, see Rule 1).
 * 3) Never take legitimate work, no matter how much difficulty this brings. "Cover" jobs are acceptable.
 * 4) Help other Vory, both by moral and material support.
 * 5) Keep secret information about the whereabouts of accomplices (i.e. dens, districts, hideouts, safe apartments, etc.).
 * 6) In unavoidable situations, take the blame for someone else's crime; this buys the other person a time of freedom.
 * 7) Demand a convocation of inquiry for the purpose of resolving disputes in the event of a conflict between oneself and other thieves, or between thieves.
 * 8) If necessary, participate in such inquiries.
 * 9) Carry out the punishment of the offending thief as decided by the convocation.
 * 10) Not resist carrying out the decision of punishing the offending thief who is found guilty, with punishment determined by the convocation.
 * 11) Have good command of the thieves' jargon ("Fenya").
 * 12) Not gamble without being able to cover losses. The losses must be covered in the agreed time.
 * 13) Teach young beginners.
 * 14) Have, if possible, informants from the rank and file of thieves.
 * 15) Not lose your reasoning ability when using alcohol.
 * 16) Have nothing to do with the authorities.
 * 17) Not take weapons from the hands of authorities; not serve in the military.
 * 18) Make good on promises given to other thieves.