He edited an underground journal "Jews in the U.S.S.R.". a publication devoted strictly to cultural and historical aspects of Jewish life and a longtime target of suppression by the Kremlin. Believing that all avenues of artistic selfexpression were closed for a Jew in the Soviet Union. Igor Guberman applied for an exit visa in December of 1978 to emigrate to Israel. As the Soviet officials became increasingly aware of Gubermans influence in Jewish intellectual circles and his leadership in the emigration movement. they tempted him with the promise of an exit visa if he would keep an eye on emigrating Jews to denounce and prepare provocations against Jewish activists. Refusing to become a false witness to innocent people. Guberman rejected the offer. He was arrested in August 1976. ostensibly for illegally purchasing and selling iconsin actuality for his connection with "Jews in the U.S.S.R." and his activity with the Jewish emigration movement. Tried and convicted on somewhat shaky evidence supplied by two known thieves. in a trial that has been denounced worldwide as a total mockery. Guberman was sentenced to 5 years at hard labor in the Gulag Archipelago in March of 1980.
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emigrate emigration emigrating visa