SOVIET TRIALS

Grey River Argus, 10 March 1938, Page 5

SOVIET TRIALS

MONEY FOR TROTSKY Accused’s Admission KREMLIN DOCTOR'S DISCLOSURE [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] MOSCOW, March 8. The sixth day of the treason trial opened with a sensational confession from Levin, Director of the Kremlin Hospital, to Gorky’s “medical murder.”

He said .that. Gorky’s murder was 1 carried out directly under Yagoda’s intimidation and bribery. Levin added: Yagoda then demanded that I murder Gorky’s son, Pleshkov and threatened me with death. I thought Yagoda was all powerful, so I -decided to obey.' Yagoda denied issuing orders to murder Pieshkov and Kendjinsky, but admitted directing the murders of Gorky and Kiubysteff. Levin, re-examined, admitted permitting Kiubysheff to catch a throat complaint, which encouraged frequent heart attacks, after which he urged Kiubysheff to strenuous exertion, bringing on his death. YAGODA’S CONFESSION. fAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received March 9, 8.40 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 9.

Yagoda, who earlier retracted his confession that he ordered the deaths of Mendjinsky and Pieshkov, admitted his guilt at the evening session, but asked fhat his evidence be taken at a secret session. Judge Ulrich granted this request. Yagoda’s admission was made after the evidence of Paul Bulanoff, his former secretary, who alleged that Yagoda attempted to rid himself of his political enemies by poisoning. (Received March 9, 8.5 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 9. Bulanoff said that he was visited by a man to whom Yagoda asked him to give £4OOO. Yagoda said that this money was for Trotsky. The man came five times during 1934 and 1935 and each time he received £4OOO on Yagoda’s instructions. Kryuchkoff, who was Gorky’s secretary in evidence admitted the “treasonable killing of Gorky and his son.”

Yagoda said that as vice-chief of the 0.G.P.U., he supplied secret material which Rykoff and Bukharin used in their struggle against the Communist Party. Yagoda described the fears of the plotters after his removal from the O.G.P.U. and the appointment of Yezhov as chief. Therefore it was decided to poison Yezhov.