 Victor Serge, born in Belgium of Russian parents, had spent 17 years in the Soviet Union, and had also contributed to French reviews such as "La Vie Ouvrière", "Clarté" and "L'Humanité".For his sympathy with Trotsky he was expelled from the party and thrown in prison.Magdelaine Paz and Jacques Mesnil conducted a tireless campaign on behalf of Serge, writing letters to left-wing journals, talking at conferences and meetings, canvassing influential lawyers and writers, and so on.