Sports
Top Russian basketball functionary shot dead in Moscow
Published 02 November, 2009, 23:14
Edited 04 November, 2009, 07:45
Russian Basketball Federation member and general director of current women’s European champions Spartak Moscow region, Shabtai Kalmanovich, has been shot dead.
A Mercedes belonging to the well-known entrepreneur was attacked with automatic guns in the centre of Moscow by unknown assailants.
While the police continue their quest of the killers, the Russian General Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case as a contract murder.
The 61-year-old, who worked as a Soviet spy in the 1970s, has been an avid supporter of basketball throughout his life.
Euro women’s success first came for former Lithuania’s Zalgiris owner in 2003 financing Yekaterinburg to the continental crown.
That was followed by even more title success at Spartak, where he served as both general director and assistant coach.
