Soviets Allow Sakharov Friend, Family to Emigrate

Soviet peace activist Irini Kristi, a friend of dissident Andrei Sakharov, arrived here today with her husband and child after unexpectedly being allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union.

She said Sakharov, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, remains cut off from communications, “buried alive” in the closed city of Gorky, where he was exiled by Soviet authorities in 1980.

Kristi, 47, showed reporters a photocopied message written by the physicist’s wife, Yelena Bonner, congratulating her family on being allowed to emigrate. “We are very happy for you (and) wish good luck to you,” said the message, dated May 20. Kristi said Sakharov had recently ended a hunger strike, and she discounted rumors that he has resumed fasting.