In 1958 he was arrested and sentenced to 7 years in prison for antiSoviet agitation and propaganda. mainly the distribution of religious works. In 1976. he helped form the Lithuanian Helsinki Group. On July 13. 1977. he was tried and given his third sentence: 10 years of heavy labor and 5 years of exile. Anatoly Shcharansky. after being refused an exit visa from the U.S.S.R. in 1973. became actively involved in the affairs of Jewish "refuseniks." He joined a seminar of scientistrefuseniks and with his high intelligence and natural leadership abilities. was propelled to unofficial leadership of Jewish activists. His fluency in English made him a natural link to Western journalists. He was also an active member of the Moscow Helsinki Group.