24 Jews in Moscow Arrested

Soviet authorities have arrested 24 Jews in Moscow during the past few days and sentenced each of them to 15 days in prison for “hooliganism,” it was reported today by the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry and the Minnesota Action Committee on Soviet Jewry. The 24, which included such activists as Vladimir Slepak, Viktor Polsky and Vladimir Prestin, were part of a group of some 40 Jews who were conducting a month-long hunger strike to demand answers from Soviet officials about their applications for exist visas. The hunger strike began in front of various ovir offices and finally shifted to the offices of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.

According to the SSSJ, a number of Jews who applied for exit visas have been told to return to the ovir office between Dec. 2 and Dec. 18. This move was seen by the SSSJ as an effort by Soviet authorities to “remove trouble makers” by permitting them to leave. During the last few days, it was reported, very few Jews have been allowed to leave and those who have were required to pay exit fees despite the fact that several had been informed earlier that they could emigrate without paying the fees.

It was also reported that Viktor Lapidus, one of several arrested during the hunger strike but released after being questioned, had received an exit visa at the end of Oct., with the education-equivalent tax waived for him and his family. In accordance with regulations, the family liquidated their assets and returned their Soviet passports, but at the last moment were told they could not travel. The Lapiduses are reported in dire financial need and desperate to secure emigration permission.