Mr. Mendelevich was 1 of a group of 11 refuseniks who were participants in the Leningrad trials. After repeatedly attempting to gain visas. these men. through desperation. were arrested while trying to hijack a Soviet aircraft. Soviet officials attempted to use these trials to make a dour political statement. and as a result. the men were given lengthy prison terms. Two of the men were sentenced to death. Fortunately. instead of gaining sympathy for the Soviet Government. the entire incident galvanized the international community in support of the Leningrad prisoners. People well understood that these men simply wanted to exercise their legal right to emigrate. As a result of intense pressure from the West. the death sentences were commuted to prison terms and the long prison terms have been reduced. Yosef Mendelevich. who was allowed to emigrate to Israel in 1981. gives us faith that our struggle is not in vain. Since his arrival in the West he has campaigned for the release of the two remaining prisoners. Today. one of the prisoners.
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visas emigrate