Soviet authorities are seeking to build the case against Moscow refusenik and Hebrew teacher Aleksandr Kholmiansky, according to information received from Moscow today by the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. Following his arrest for a minor infraction of Soviet law, punishable only by fine, Kholmiansky is now being detained while the KGB attempts to gather evidence which will justify a major criminal charge.
The KGB campaign has already involved several Odessa refuseniks who have been asked to provide written evidence against Kholmiansky, the conference reported. These refuseniks have been instructed to supply written testimony to the fact that Kholmiansky distributed Jewish articles and teaching materials during his visits to Odessa. The Conference also reported that there were searches of five Moscow apartments in connection with the Kholmiansky case within the last week.
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