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Russian Sports, Concert Tycoon Gunned Down

Shabtai von Kalmanovic, 60, know for importing WNBA stars

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2009 7:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – A former KGB agent turned sports- and concert-promoter was gunned down today in Moscow, with the submachine gun-toting assailants pulling alongside Shabtai von Kalmanovic’s Mercedes and killing him nearly instantly in a hail of bullets. Kalmanovic, 60, brought stars of the WNBA to Russia during its off-season to play for his Spartak team, winner of the past three European titles.

Investigators tell the Times of London that it appears to be a contract killing, though they as yet have no motive. Kalmanovic served jail time in Israel in the 1980s for spying for the Soviet Union, though a former KGB official tells the Los Angeles Times he doesn’t think Kalmanovic was a full-fledged agent. After returning to Moscow, Kalmanovic went into concert promotions, bringing Michael Jackson, among others, to the country.

Kalmanovic seen with his team in a 2006 photo.
Kalmanovic seen with his team in a 2006 photo.   (AP Photo)
Kalmanovic, in a 2006 photo with a member of his Spartak basketball team.
Kalmanovic, in a 2006 photo with a member of his Spartak basketball team.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 3, 2009 12:23 PM CST
Ah, one of the Russians that was "elevated" to Free Enterprise by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School. Pleasant lot. Pity about the proles . . .
cochiserocks
Nov 3, 2009 9:38 AM CST
at least they didn't pull that crazy radio active stunt again!
sache
Nov 3, 2009 9:07 AM CST
Took a look at the photo and decided it was the hair style that got him "erased". Killer "do" if there ever was one.

 
Russia • Israel • WNBA • espionage • KGB • assassination • Shabtai von Kalmanovic • Spartak • contract hit

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