Mendelevich was sentenced to 12 years in prison2 years beyond the maximum sentencewhich was extended for an additional 3 years solely because he practiced the Jewish faith. Soviet authorities declared this "a defiance of orders and having a bad influence on others." Mendelevich continues to be confined although his other codefendants have since received pardons. Vladimir Prestinactive in monitoring Soviet compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and denied permission to emigrate to Israel since 1970. He helped to arrange the departure of wellknown dissident Alexander Ginzburg and four others. The Soviets then created a case against Prestin saying that as an electronic engineer he acquired state secrets and that his departure along with his family would therefore compromise national security. The Vashcehenko familyliving in the basement of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow as refugees from Soviet persecution. They were subjected to harassment because they steadfastly practiced their Pentecostal faith. The family has been living in the Embassy since 1978 and continue to seek permission to emigrate abroad. These are but a few of many others who long for freedom in the U.S.S.R. We must be ever vigilant in drawing the worlds eyes to their struggle to win their liberty and to exercise their right to free expression.
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emigrate refugees