Convicted spy Pope released

MOSCOW, Russia -- Convicted spy Edmond Pope has been freed from a Russian prison after being granted a pardon by President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday that Putin had pardoned Pope and ordered his release from prison.

Putin's decree said Pope had been pardoned on health reasons and because of the importance of U.S.-Russian relations.

A U.S. Embassy doctor is expected to check Pope's health and determine whether he was well enough to fly home.

His release came less than two hours after the wife of the businessman and former naval intelligence officer arrived at Moscow's Lefortovo prison.

Cheri Pope attended the facility on what was the first day Putin was permitted to fulfil a promise to pardon Pope, who last week became the first Westerner since the Cold War to be convicted of spying in Russia.

Pope, 54, who is suffering from cancer, was convicted of trying to obtain state secrets on a high-speed torpedo. He was sentenced to 20 years in a Russian prison.

Putin promised in a telephone conversation with U.S. President Bill Clinton that he would release Pope.

Putin also said publicly he would heed a recommendation by his clemency board, which said Pope should be freed on humanitarian grounds.

But the president said he could not act before Pope's 20-year sentence took effect officially on November 14.

Cheri Pope said on Wednesday she hoped to bring her husband home this week. Pope's father is terminally ill.

"I don't care if I have to swim home, we'll be out of here as fast as we can. First the doctors, then home to Oregon to see his father," Cheri Pope said. "He needs to hold his dad's hand one more time."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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