Brick Hurled Through Window of Russian Diplomat’s Home; Three Arrested

Three student activists for Soviet Jewry were arrested early this morning for allegedly throwing a brick through a window of the Silver Springs, Md. apartment of Vladislav V. Shimanovskiy, an attache at the Soviet Embassy here. The youths were identified as Ralph Bieber, 15, Michael Lebovic, 18 and Yossi Templeman, 24, all of New York City. Templeman, who is national chairman of the Student Activists for Soviet Jewry, described himself as head of Jewish Identity Week for Soviet Jewry which began here yesterday. Bieber was taken to Juvenile Court. Templeman and Lebovic released on their personal bond were told to appear on July 12 before Judge Calvin Sanders of the Peoples Court. The alleged brick-throwing occurred at 2:10 a.m. A note wrapped around the brick said, “Stop the Kishinev Trials. Never Again.” “Never Again” is a slogan used by the Jewish Defense League.

The JTA learned that Bieber and Lebovic were arrested as they approached a car several blocks from the Soviet diplomat’s home. Templeman was in the car idling the motor when he was arrested. He was charged with aiding and abetting the others. Templeman praised the Montgomery County police for “treating them with dignity” but complained that they were not permitted to phone their lawyer for several hours after their arrest. The Soviet Embassy refused to comment on the incident. Jason Silverman, regional director of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League, referring to the incident, told the JTA that such actions “confuse the responsible response of the Jewish community to the issue of Soviet treatment of Jews.” When State Department officials were informed of the brick-throwing incident, they telephoned the Soviet Embassy to express “regret” and promised to do whatever they could to prevent “harassment.” Department spokesman Charles Bray told newsmen that various city police agencies “were doing their utmost to assure protection of Soviet personnel, buildings and property.” He declined to disclose what steps the police agencies were taking.