THESSALONIKI, Greece — A Greek court has convicted a Georgian man of heading an international criminal ring alleged to be behind armed robberies and at least one contract killing.
A Thessaloniki court on Wednesday sentenced Lasha Shushanashvili, 52, to 14 years in prison. He has lived in Greece since late 2008.
Authorities say the ring was active in Spain, Germany, Switzerland and France.
Shushanashvili was arrested last year at an Athens seaside resort on an international warrant issued by Spanish authorities. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Greece has refused requests from Spain and Georgia for Shushanashvili's extradition.
Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department named Shushanashvili as one of five suspected key members and associates of a Eurasian crime syndicate named the Brothers' Circle.
