Edition: U.S. / Global

Begun Leaves Soviet, Ending 17-Year Emigration Struggle

Published: January 19, 1988

Iosif Begun flew out of Moscow bound for Israel today, ending a 17-year emigration battle that included years in prison and Siberian exile.

''Now that I'm going, I feel even more the wishes and dreams of those I leave behind, and who want to live as Jews,'' the gray-bearded Mr. Begun, 55 years old, told well-wishers and reporters before boarding an Aeroflot flight here.

He was one of the Soviet Union's most prominent campaigners for Jewish rights. He received his permission Sept. 7, but waited until his son's wife was told she could also leave.

Leaving with Mr. Begun on the flight to Bucharest, Rumania, were his wife, Inna; Inna's mother, Dvoira Lazar, 79; and Mr. Begun's son, Boris, 23, his wife and their two children. They planned to fly to Israel on Tuesday.