Washington Post
March 17, 2004

Welcome Home, Comrade

By Al Kamen - Page A23

Meanwhile, the effort continues to outsource former Russian banker Alex Konanykhin to the welcoming arms of former KGB thug and landslide-reelection winner Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

Loop Fans may recall Konanykhin, one of the first Russian millionaires after the fall of the commies, left in 1992 and built a thriving Web advertising business in New York City. He was granted asylum in 1999, but Moscow accused him of stealing from his bank and wanted him returned.

An appeals court in November reversed the asylum ruling, and immigration officials grabbed him as he tried to leave for asylum in Canada.

But now, just as his case is to be heard again here Thursday by the original asylum-granting judge, the Russians announced Friday they had dropped all charges. So, there's simply no reason to give him asylum here. Ollie, Ollie, oxen free!

Remember when Saddam Hussein told his sons-in-law all was forgiven, come on home?

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