Since 1938. when Soviet Gen. Maurice Yakir and his brother were shot to death in Stalinist purges. three generations of Yakirs have suffered at the hands of the Soviet leadership. They. and many other Soviet Jews. are being persecuted for succumbing to the terrible. fascinating power of the hope of freedom. for the "crime" of applying to emigrate. Aleksandr Yakir and his parents first filed for exit visas in October 1973. They were refused because Aleksandrs father. as a mechanical engineer. carried a "secret" classification. When Aleksandr applied on his own to emigrate to Israel in 1976. he was refused on humanitarian grounds. Soviet authorities are apparently loathe to break up families. Throughout the United States. Jews and nonJews have demanded that the U.S.S.R. permit Aleksandr Yakir and his family to emigrate to Israel. as is their right. The right of any individual to leave any country. including his own. Is an internationally recognized human right and Is upheld in international law.
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emigrate visas