They signed a letter to the ProcuratorGeneral of the Soviet Union seeking repeal of the harsh sentence against Begun. They sent a long. wellreasoned memorandum outlining the fact that the sentence violates the Soviet Unions own laws as well as international law. The Soviets are solemnly bound by international agreements to respect freedom of emigration and civil and political rights. If they refuse to adhere to international law. then their own domestic law expressly allows defendants at trial certain rights. The Soviets Code of Criminal Procedure provides for an open trial. a fair trial. the right of a witness to counsel and to call witnesses in his defense. and the duty of a judge to impose a sentence proportionate to the alleged offenses.
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emigration