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At Least 100 Jewish Activists Arrested in USSR on Eve of Nixon Visit

June 24, 1974
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The arrests of Jewish activists in Russia in preparation for President Nixon’s Moscow visit June 27 is continuing. An estimated 100 persons have been arrested since last Thursday in Moscow, Leningrad, Odessa, Kiev, Kishinev and other major cities where Jews live; Jewish sources in the Soviet Union reported today.

According to the sources, the KGB (secret police) smashed down the doors of the apartments of several activists in order to arrest them. Some Jewish activists escaped and went into hiding but then gave themselves up after their families and friends were threatened. Among the prominent Jews arrested since last week were Vladimir Slepak, and his wife, Maria; Alexander Voronel, Alexander Lunts, Victor Brailosky, Mark Azbel and Vitaly Rubin. Jewish activists were also arrested during President Nixon’s last visit to Moscow. At that time they were drafted. Now some are held in detention for 15 days under an administrative order originally designed to deal with hooliganism and violence. But others are being called up for military service.

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