THIRTEEN DEATH SENTENCES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22005, 1 February 1937, Page 9

THIRTEEN DEATH SENTENCES

Soviet Conspiracy I Trial UNEXPECTED CLEMENCY FOR RADEK (L-N1TB1) PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received January 30, 10.55 a.m.) MOSCOW, January 29. For the first time since the opening of the trial of the 17 men who are accused of plotting against the Soviet, the courtroom was jammed to hear the accused make their last speeches, which seemed like funeral orations. Radek, Sokolnikov, and Arnold were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and Stroilov to eight years. The remaining 13 men were sentenced to death by shooting. Radek, Sokolnikov, Arnold and Stroilov, were not sentenced to death because of extenuating circumstances, namely, that although they were guilty on all counts they did not participate in actual terrorism or wrecking activities. Radek, 'whose earlier assurance had deserted him, insisted that he was a political criminal, and he vehemently protested at being tried with ordinary bandits and wrecker.:. Radek emphasised that he stood by the beliefs which had led him to the dock. He had joined Trotsky because it was impossible to build up socialism in one country alone, but he had realised it too late for Trotsky to involve a foreign power. He believed that it was impossible to seize government in Russia without the aid of Herr Hitler. Radek then implicated Bukharm who, he said, did not know everything. He indicated that more than 100 were involved in the direction of the conspiracy. Radek said: "I was tortured by the Department of Interior's investigators for 10 weeks before I confessed. I did not confess until the confessions of all the others were shown me." "Trotskyism Crushed" Later reports, however, assert that Radek actually stated that he had tortured his inquisitors for 10 weeks by refusing them. He asked for nothing more merciful than death. Radek concluded with a warning to Trotsky's supporters in Russia, France, and Spain, that anyone who disagreed with the party may the next moment be a spy. Sokolnikov pleaded that he was the first fully to confess, leading to the unearthing of the conspiracy. He added in a sobbing voice: "After this exposure I trust that no one will ever work under Trotsky's banner. Trotskyism is already crushed. I hope that the court will consider the extenuating circumstances, though I deserve nothing but the death penalty." All the prisoners sought clemency except Piatakov, Shestov, and Radek. Piatakov declared that when it was evident that the Trotsky organisation had become an agent of fascism he desired to leave it. "In dying I will no longer be a Trotskyite." he said. "I only regret that this chief criminal is not sitting here with us." Other prisoners declared their repentence and sought leniency. Right of Appeal Those who were sentenced to death have the right to appeal to the Soviet Central Committee which must announce its decision within 72 hours. The accused, who were pale and nervous, were brought back to the court at 2 a.m. to hear the verdict. They gazed forlornly at the 400 spectators crowding the silent "Hall of Death," which was stuffy and oppressive in spite of the bitterly cold night outside. A military official, with a paradeground voice, called all present to attention as tne jvidges returned. M. "Ulrich mounted the rostrum with a quick determined gait carrying a paper on which the verdicts and sentences were written. He began reading rapidly, and he monotonously rattled off the names of those sentenced to death as swiftly as the remainder, while the prisoners' eyes were fixed on his face. The audience tensely awaited Radek's sentence, the clemency of which caused surprise, as he had been the most defiant of all. M. Ulrich cut short the applause when he finished reading the sentences, declaring abruptly, "The court is dismissed." He then departed. . , Guards with fixed bayonets marched the prisoners out.