The elder Slepak son. Aleksandr. had finally joined his wife in Israel. but the younger son. Leonid. was in hiding to avoid conscriptionan attempt by the Soviet authorities to further frustrate his chances to emigrate. Out of desperation and frustration. 3 years ago to this day. the parents boldly hung a banner from the balcony of their Moscow apartment saying. "Let Us Go to Our Son in Israel." For this nonviolent act. Maria and Vladimir were arrested and charged with "malicious hooliganism." Maria got a suspended sentence. but Vladimir was consigned to 5 years of Siberian exile. His enforced isolation made it impossible for Vladimir to continue as the virtual leader of the Soviet emigration movement and as its representative in the Moscow Helsinki Monitoring Grouproles that Vladimir assumed following the arrest and imprisonment of his close friend. Anatloy Shcharansky. in March 1977. Thus.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration