The National Conference on Soviet Jewry reported today that Soviet Prisoner of Conscience Yuri Vudka has been released from the notorious Vladimir Prison after a seven-year jail sentence.
Intensely interested in “Samizdat” literature dealing with Jewish religion, history, culture and language, Vudka and five of his friends formed a small study group to expand their knowledge in this area. During July and August 1969, all six were arrested by KGB agents, following a thorough search of their apartments during which a typewriter, some photographic equipment and literature were confiscated. These items were introduced as “incriminating” evidence during their trials.
During the proceedings, an exchange between Vudka and the presiding judge took place. Vudka criticized the Soviet Union for not providing Jews with schools or the opportunity to study their own language and develop their own culture, as is provided for other nationalities. The judge accused Vudka of being a nationalist and deemed that, although he entered a plea of “guilty,” his repentance was “insincere” and Vudka was sentenced to seven years.
While carrying his term, Vudka participated in demonstrations protesting the refusal of camp authorities to make kosher food available to the POCs. His activities resulted in his transfer to Vladimir Prison where he continued protesting.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
