Former Russian banker not to be deported from USA

A court in Alexandria, Va. will continue to examine the case of former Russian banker Alexander Konanykhin today, Konanykhin's lawyer J. Shimkovich said.

The court was to have held its final session February 20; however, Konanykhin's lawyers and representatives of US law enforcement agencies failed to coordinate the text of an agreement stipulating Konanykhin's US-residence terms by that time.

Previously, the judge, who was examining this case, said that Konanykhin didn't violate his agreement with US authorities; that agreement allowed him to live in the United States. According to the judge, the US Government itself violated that agreement, after arresting Konanykhin on the US-Canadian border last December.

The judge suggested that Konanykhin be released from jail, also asking the former Russian banker's lawyers to streamline the aforesaid agreement, whose provisions must be clarified.

The amended agreement should also be okayed by the US immigration department, thus enabling the court to pass its final verdict in the case.

Russian authorities are accusing Konanykhin of embezzling $8 million from the National Exchange Bank's assets.