U.S. Gives Asylum to Soviet Dancer on Religious Issue
A Soviet dancer who deserted the Moscow Ballet last week during its U.S. tour has been granted political asylum in the United States, immigration officials said today.
Andrei Ustinov, 32, “will be staying in the United States,” said Ronald Chandler, director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s Dallas office.
Chandler said Ustinov is a Russian Orthodox and had expressed fear of religious persecution after being told by Soviet officials that he could not make the sign of the cross before a performance.
Asked about his wife and 2 1/2-year-old daughter who are still in the Soviet Union, Ustinov said the couple had wanted to get a divorce. He said, however, he would try to bring his daughter to America.
Ustinov has agreed to perform with the Dallas Ballet in a three-month contract that runs through year’s end, officials said.
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