Speaker. the systematic persecution of Jews by Soviet Government officials is reaching unprecedented heights. Assaults by the KGB on Jewish selfstudy groups and other cultural activities has drastically intensified. The increased harassment has led many Soviet Jews to apply for emigration visas to Israel. In recent years emigration procedures have effectively eliminated the possibility of leaving the Soviet Union for most Jews. The case of Vladimir and Maria Slepak illustrates the alarming and tragic plight of Soviet refuseniks. In 1971 Vladimir. his wife Maria. and their two sons were denied exit visas because of "state interests." Upon application to emigrate. the Slepaks home was repeatedly raided and searchedfurniture was smashed. books. personal letters and photographs confiscated. the telephone disconnected and the walls bugged. Vladimir himself was followed. interrogated. labeled a traitor. and sentenced to short terms in prison on various fabricated charges. The Slepaks sons were finally allowed to emigrate to Israel in 1977. A year later. Vladimir and Maria displayed a banner from the window of their Moscow apartment which stated. "Let us go to our sons in Israel." They were arrested. charged with "malicious hooliganism" and sentenced to 5 years in exile.
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emigrate emigration visas