15 Facts About Robert Soblen

Robert Soblen moved to the United States in 1941 with his brother Jack Soble, and was arrested in 1960 as a Soviet spy.

Robert Soblen committed suicide by overdosing on barbiturates when his last appeal for asylum in Britain was denied.

Jack Soble later claimed he and Robert Soblen began working for the Soviet Secret Police against Trotsky in 1931.

In 1932, Trotsky broke with the brothers, and Robert Soblen joined Trotsky's enemies in the Communist Party of Germany.

Robert Soblen was charged with providing the Soviet Union with secret OSS documents in World War II and photographs of a US nuclear testing site in 1950.

Robert Soblen's trial, at which Jack was a primary witness, ended with his conviction.

Robert Soblen remained defiant and refused to cooperate, and on August 7,1961, was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Robert Soblen, suffering from leukemia, was released on $100,000 bail pending an appeal.

Robert Soblen's conviction was upheld by the US Court of Appeals in March 1962, and an appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected in June 1962.

Robert Soblen was ordered to report to prison to begin his sentence on June 28,1962.

Robert Soblen was arrested in his hotel room shortly after his arrival, and the Israeli government declared that the Law of Return was not an open invitation for Jewish criminals to immigrate to Israel.

Robert Soblen then hired lawyers and filed a claim for political asylum, or the right to go to any country other than the United States.

Robert Soblen admitted that his actions had not been a suicide attempt, but were rather a ruse to gain admittance to Britain.

Robert Soblen fell unconscious while being escorted to the airport, and was taken to a hospital.

Robert Soblen never regained consciousness, and died on September 11,1962.