The National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) reported today that Lev Elbert, a 35-year-old refusenik activist from Kiev, is scheduled to be tried for “draft evasion” on May 25.
Elbert refused to comply with an unusual draft summons ordering him to begin reserve duty on April 6. Such duty is generally served only by high-ranking officers. Elbert, who completed his term as a private in the army nine years ago, appeared at the draft office to request that he not be sent to a secret unit. His request was denied and the summons issued.
Elbert was denied an answer by military authorities to his question concerning the reasons for the summons, unusual at his age. The denial was given under the pretext of state security. Refusal to comply carries a penalty of one year in prison.
Elbert, his wife, Inna, and their son, Karmi, have been waiting since August, 1976, for permission to emigrate to Israel. They were initially denied visas because of “classified information” that Elbert allegedly had access to during his army service.
The current move appears desinged to make this allegation stick, the National Conference said. It could also be in response to a recent KGB interrogation in which Elbert was threatened with the effect a possible prison camp sentence would have on his son’s future and asked to supply information about other Jewish activists. Elbert, a victim of repeated harassment, refused.
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