Edmund Pope, the US businessman convicted by Russia of espionage then pardoned by President Vladimir Putin, arrived in Oregon Sunday, with his wife Cheri, following his release mid-week from a Moscow jail.
Pope, 54, who suffers from a rare bone cancer, appeared tired after his flight.
He had been undergoing tests in Germany since his release by the Russians Thursday. He smiled as he told reporters at Portland's airport he was glad to be back on home soil.
"I can't describe how wonderful it is," he said. "I'm just going to relax -- get with my family and relax. I have a million things to do but the first thing is the family."
Pope was heading for the town of Grants Pass, southern Oregon, to visit his parents. His father is seriously ill with a similar form of cancer.
The first US citizen in 40 years to be convicted of spying by a Russian court, Pope spent 253 days behind bars in Russia before being convicted of illegally obtaining secret torpedo technology.
His 20-year hard labor sentence was lifted after Putin agreed to pardon him as a "goodwill gesture," citing Pope's ill health and the need to maintain good relations with the United States -- PORTLAND (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
