Wynne Pleads Guilty To Soviet Espionage Charge

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 15

Wynne Pleads Guilty To Soviet Espionage Charge

(tI.Z.P.A.-Rtiavt—CoW'vM.) MOSCOW, May 7. A British businessman,„ Greville Maynard Wynne, aged 44, has pleaded guilty to a charge of espionage against the Soviet Union, according to the indictment read at the opening of his trial in Moscow today. The indictment said that Oleg Penkovsky, aged 43, a Soviet scientific official on trial with Wynne, had pleaded guilty to all charges against him, including high treason. The indictment alleged Penkovsky had passed information about rockets to British intelligence.

Wynne, managing director of the London firm of Mobile Exhibitions, Ltd., was arrested in Budapest on November 2 and extradited to the Soviet Union. He has been held for 186 days. Wynne, in a dark grey suit and striped tae, looked pale and nervous as he took his seat in the packed courtroom. He apparently could not see his wife, Sheila, sitting near the back of the Court 20 yards away from him and almost hidden from his seat in the dock. The prosecutor is the chief military prosecutor, Lieu-tenant-General Artem Gorny. Penkovsky is defended by a member of the Moscow City College of Barristers Mr Konstantin Apraksin, while Wynne is defended by a member of toe college. Mr Nikolai Borovik. The presiding Judge, Lieutenant - General Viktor Borisogelibsky asked Wynne to stand up while he answered questions about his age and education. Speaking quietly and calmly, he said he was born in 1919 in Shropshire. When pressed by the Court to give toe exact date and month, he hastily replied: March 19. 1919. He was asked what State he belonged to, and replied ‘English,” quickly correctng it to "British.'’

Asked if he pleaded guilty. Wynne replied: “I do, with certain reservations which I wild make in my statement.’’ Mrs Wynne left the courtroom immediately after Wynne had pleaded guilty, seemingly quite composed. She apparently had a few bad moments before her husband pleaded guilty, when her cheek muscles tightened and her face looked strained She consulted with her British lawyer. Mr Derek Sinclair, and the British Consul (Mr Kirby) in the corridor outside the Courtroom. In court, Penkovsky, a shade taller than the stocky Wynne, looked straight ahead of him from deeply recessed eyes, Penkovsky, grey-haired and wearing a smart grey suit, turned to look at the judge. Questioned on his name and identity, he gave his name: Oleg Vladimirovich Penkovsky. Speaking clearly Penkovsky told the President he held a reserve military rank of colonel and had been deputy head of the Foreign Department of the State Committee for Scientific Research and Co-ordination. (Rumours in Moscow before the trial had said Penkovsky had been a reserve colonel in the K.G.8., the Soviet security police.) Mr Boris Belitsky, of Moscow Radio, is toe interpreter for the Court. A young Soviet journalist. Mikhail Brukh, is translating the proceedings for Mr Wynne. Major Afanasyev, secretary of the Court, then began

reading the indictment. It alleged that Penkovsky had passed on information about rockets to British Intelligence. The indictment named a British "intelligence” man called Chisholm and his wife, Janet, as having had links with Wynne in Britain. The indictment alleged that Penkovsky himself had offered to become a British agent. The indictment said Penkovsky had pleaded guilty to all charges including that of high treason. Wynne had pleaded guilty to the charge of espionage and admitted acting as liaison man for Penkovsky, the indictment said. Penkovsky had begun in spying in April, 1961, during official visits to London and Paris, the indictment said. Wynne had helped to establish Penkovsky's relationship with British and American intelligence services and while in Moscow had delivered packages containing cameras, film, and information. Penkovsky had repeatedly met Brjtish and American agents at secret addresses, gave away top-secret economic, political and military information and received instruction in espionage techniques. Coded Messages During his co-operation with the British and American intelligence services, Penkovsky had received coded radio messages from the spy headquarters, regularly met British and American intelligence representatives including Wynne. Chisholm, and a man named Carlson, in

Moscow streets, hallways, hotels, and at British and United States diplomatic receptions, the indictment said. He had received instructions and espionage equipment from agents, conveyed secret information to them verbally, in written reports and on film, the indictment said. (Mr Rodney W. Carlson was assistant agricultural attache at the United States Embassy in Moscow. He left the Soviet Union voluntarily last December 14 after allegations that he was connected with Penkovsky, had been published in the Russian press and denied by American authorities.) The indictment said Wynne had delivered packages containing espionage information collected by Penkovsky to Chisholm. Meetings With Agents On the same day, with Wynne’s assistance, he had met representatives of the British and American intelligence services. Subsequently, before leaving London, Penkovsky had had three more meetings with these agents, the indictment said. On May 3, he had pledged in writing to co-operate with the British and American intelligence services, and had also written an application for British or American citizenship should the need arise. Receiving the necessary espionage equipment, Penkovsky had returned to Moscow and began to fulfil his assignments. On May 27. in Moscow, he had handed to Wynne 20 rolls of film with photographs of classified materials, and also a letter with an invisible message, and had received from him instructions and a batch of film, the indictment said. He had been assured that after completing espionage on Soviet territory he would be given a responsible post of his own choice in the British or American military establishments, the indictment said. He had been offered a salary of 2000 dollars and was also to have been paid a» lump sum tor his past espionage work on a 1000-dollars-a-montb basis. Alleged Contacts The secretary of toe Court read the indictment in a loud monotone and started on the details of Wynne’s alleged contracts. Tlie Briton sat sideways in the dock, his head in his hands, staring at toe floor He did not glance towards toe body of the Court. The indictment referred to a man named “Cowell” who was to have replaced Chisholm. Wynne had met Cowell in London in November, 1961 the indictment said. (A Mr Gervase Cowell, aged 37, has been visa department chief at the British Embassy since Mr Chisholm left last year.) Places in Moscow had been specified where Penkovsky was to pass material to' Mrs Chisholm and to receive instructions and films from her. the indictment said.