Anatolys only crime was to speak out about the Soviets utter disregard for human rights. As a monitor of the Helsinki accords. Shcharansky spoke out for freedom. for truth. for the right to emigrate. and for the reunification of families. The Soviet officials accused him of treason and of being an agent of the United States despite President Carters denial. The term treason in the Soviet Union encompasses many alleged crimes which are committed in the name of justice and freedom. Since 1977. when Anatoly Shcharansky was jailed because of his outspoken defense of the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate from the Soviet Union. this Prisoner of Conscience was denied basic prisoner rightsthe right to receive mail. to have visitors. and the right to communicate. Anatolys mother has been forbidden to visit her son in prison. and has been turned away from Chistopol Prison on several occasions after her long difficult trips in her vain attempts to visit with him. His devoted wife.
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emigrate