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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
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8

Russian Sports, Concert Tycoon Gunned Down

Shabtai von Kalmanovic, 60, know for importing WNBA stars

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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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8 comments
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lonewolf17
Nov 2, 09 7:11 PM CST
well if you are a wealthy businessman in russia chances are you have mob connections....guess this guy crossed them Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 7:28 PM CST
Yah, I saw Russian, Tycoon, Gunned - Mafioso!
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0
njgreen
Nov 2, 09 7:35 PM CST
Someone was late on his payment to Putin. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
cochiserocks
Nov 3, 09 3:38 AM CST
at least they didn't pull that crazy radio active stunt again!
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bewilderbeast
Nov 3, 09 6:23 AM 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 . . . Reply
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