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Jewish KGB spy murdered in Moscow

November 3, 2009

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- A Jewish KGB agent who spied on Israel and later became a business mogul in Russia was murdered in Moscow.

Shabtai Kalmanovich, 62, was shot in his car near his home in an attack that was likely a contract killing, Russian authorities said. His driver also was shot and injured.

Police believe the shooting was business related, according to reports.

A successful international businessman, Kalmanovich was prominent in Russian basketball. He was an investor in Spartak, a women's professional team that won the EuroLeague title the past three seasons.

In exchange for spying on Jews seeking permission to immigrate to Israel in the 1970s, Kalmanovich and his family received permission to immigrate to Israel. In Israel, he continued to spy for the KGB, according to reports.

Kalmanovich spent five years in an Israeli prison for passing Israeli military secrets to the KGB. He was released in 1993 and returned to Russia.

 

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