USSR: SOVIETS EXTEND SHCHARANSKY INVESTIGATION.

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005301379
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 23, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2009
• Case Number: F-2008-00844
• Publication Date: December 15, 1977

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ITEM NO: 2 DATE: 15 DEC 7?
SUBJECT: USSR: SOVIETS EXTEND SHCHARANSKY INVESTIGATION?Y
THE KGB INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE AGAINST DISSIDENT ANATOLY
SHCHARANSKY, WHO WAS ARRESTED ON MARCH 15, HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR
ANOTHER SIX MONTHS
SOVIET PROCEDURAL LAW CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION LEADING EITHER
TO AN INDICTMENT OR RELEASE OF THE'ACCUSED WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF
ARREST. EXTENSION OF INVESTIGATIONS, HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN FRE-
QUENTLY OBTAINED BY THE KGB IN POLITICALLY SENSITIVE CASES.Y
THE PROCEDURAL MOVE EVIDENTLY GIVES THE SOVIET LEADERSHIP
ADDITIONAL TIME TO CHOOSE AMONG THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS IN THE
CASE, AND TO ASSESS THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACT ON SOVIET-US RELATIONS.
IT ALSO MEANS THAT A MAJOR DISSIDENT TRIAL HAS BEEN AVOIDED
DURING THE BELGRADE CSCE REVIEW CONFERENCE, WHICH ADJOURNED FOR
DATE:
ORIG:
UNIT:
EXT:
APPROVED FOR
RELEASE DATE:
25-Nov-2008
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REPRODUCTION BY OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE IS PROHIBITED
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A MONTH'S HOLIDAY RECESS ON DECEMBER 15?M
THE SOVIETS ARE PROBABLY AWARE THAT THE EXTENSION MAY BE
PUBLICLY PORTRAYED ABROAD AS MOSCOW'S GIVING INTO WESTERN
PRESSURE,'AND ARE THUS LIKELY TO SUSTAIN OR EVEN INCREASE THEIR
PROPAGANDA ALLEGING US INTELLIGENCE INVOLVEMENT IN SOVIET DISSI-
DENT AFFAIRS. THEY MAY ALSO PRIVATELYSTRESS THAT THE EXTENSION
OF THE INVESTIGATION IS FOR "UP TO SIX MONTHS," AND DOES NOT
PRECLUDE AN EARLIER INDICTMENT AND TRIAL
REPRODUCTION BY OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE IS PROHIBITED
 Subject USSR: SOVIETS EXTEND
SHCHARANSKY INVESTIGATION
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