Lev was again refused permission to leave the Soviet Union. and he was told to wait 1 year before reapplying. This is a violation of the Soviets public pronouncements that they will review each case every half year. The Blitshteins separation is also a direct violation of the Kremlins signature on the Helsinki agreement. which affirms the right of reunification of families. Since January 1976. Lev has repeatedly applied for a visa and has repeatedly been turned down. He has become a central figure in the Moscow refusenik community. Although he assumes that he will never get out of the country. he is said to be the most highly spirited refusenik. and the one who keeps the community going.