WORLD : Israel Convicts Soviet Emigre Spy
TEL AVIV — A Soviet emigre with close links to Israeli politicians and army officers was convicted today of spying for the Soviet Union and sentenced to nine years in prison, his attorney said.
Shabtai Kalmanovich, 43, was convicted in a closed Tel Aviv courtroom of espionage and having contacts with a foreign agent, said attorney Amnon Zichroni. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. The trial was conducted in secret and no details of Kalmanovich’s spying activities have been given.
After emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1971, Kalmanovich established himself as an international businessman, an activist in the Labor Party and a socialite who mixed with leading politicians and senior army officers.
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