Friends Of Soviet Spy Punished

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30145, 31 May 1963, Page 11

Friends Of Soviet Spy Punished

(N Z.P A ‘Reuter —Copyright;

MOSCOW, May 30

Three high Red Army officers and a scientist, who befriended the spy, Oleg Penkovsky, have received “severe disciplinary punishments.” Among them is the army's artillery chief. Marshal Sergei Varenfsov, who has been dismissed anil lowered in rank.

The Soviet newspaper •Izvestia" revealed the punishments today m an interview with the chief Sov e’ military procurator Lieu-enant-Gerera! A G Gorny Penkovsky was shot on May 16 for supplying S >viesecrets to the West A B-itisb businessman Gtevdle Wvnne who was tried w.th Penkovsky was =enten<ted to eight veers gaol Two other Soviet officers who were said to be close friends of Penkovsky— Major-General A Poznvny and Colonel V Buzinov have -eceived “severe disciplinary ounishmen’s ” A former official ot the State Committee fo* the Co-•rdi-nation of Sc entitle Research. V Petrochenko has also been punished He said Martha) Varentsov oad believed ‘complaints'' by Penkovsky about ms ’lleeedlv unlaw>ful demobilisation from the army Marshal Varentsov ob'a-ned . -evtew of the negative ser vice qualifications of Penkovsky and eventually aelped mm to join the State Comm:’’ee for the Co-ordma tinn -if Scientific Research General Gorny said Penkovsky's friends had not been ’red because tney had not known Penkovsky was a spy •

, 'But their conduct deserves most strict public rensure." he said

General Gorny described as shameful newspaiper lies’ ’ Western press speculation that Penkovsky had not beer shot. He said that when Penkovsky's appeal was dis missed he "lost his poise" ind "met death like a con emotible coward "