Another batch of leaked American diplomatic cables has made further accusations of links between the Russian government and organised crime.
US diplomatic cables published on Wikileaks say Russia has become a virtual "mafia state" with widespread corruption, bribery and protection rackets.
Referring to earlier leaked US criticism, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin dismissed it as slanderous.
He told CNN there may be "political purposes" behind the leaks but they were "no catastrophe".
The Guardian newspaper says the cables show bribery in the political system totals an estimated $US300 billion per year.
In one cable from January 2010, Spanish prosecutor Jose "Pepe" Grinda Gonzales claimed that in Russia, Belarus and Chechnya "one cannot differentiate between the activities of the Government and (organised crime) groups".
The BBC reports Judge Grinda led a long investigation into Russian organised crime in Spain, leading to more than 60 arrests.
