MOSCOW TRIALS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1933, Page 6

MOSCOW TRIALS

COUNSEL FOR THE PRISONERS

EXTRACTS FROM THE DEFENCE

(United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

(Received thi s day at 12.19 p.m.) MOSCOW, April 18. The newsp'ipe,rs signalised- the lagt day of the trial iby whipping up -a tremendous “spy-scare,” copiously referring to Rruce, Lockhart, Q’-Rellly, Colonel Lawrencg and other' alleged British spies. The ne\vsp»pe rs generally demanded the death -penalties i-n .oilier to demonstrate the (Soviet’s strength. The ‘Tiravda” declares that the Vickers employees were preparing for war. The Court was packed and excited at th, msumpti-on.

fflya Braude, who has been defending counsel at many -Soviet trials, said tuafc any briib es which Thornton foolishly gave we.ro for economic information, not etipionagia. Braude -spoke for fortyfive minutes, but w-sis generally convincing. On the other 'D-almatovsky, defending Gregory and No-i’dwall immediately made good points, for in-

stance ; “Lobanov, Qleinik and" Thornton gave evidence against Nordwall, 'but th e , (prosecutor called them'- abject, immoral types; s 0 their is; discredited and worthless.” He demanded Nor-d wall’s acquittal. Dai-

matovsky’s plea, emphasising Nordwajl’s attachment to his 'Ru s sian wife, his family life, and also' his proBolshevist sympathies, strengthened Nordwall’s prospects. Counsel decided

it wa-s unnecessary to -plead for Gregory, whose release was regarded as certain.Cuslyiy’s counsel, -Lidoff, declared that ther, ? were insufficient documentg to

incriminate the prisoner. Moreover the charges we-r e based partly -on the breakdown at Baku, 1928, concerning which testimony was only forthcoming. Cushny was alleged to be guilty of bribery -because he lent email sums

to workers who sometimes failed to repay , them. Cushny -received political and economic, not military, information. -He was interested in everything Russian, but not from a spy’s viewpoint.

Ivodomo.v, -defending Monkhou.se, opened -unconvincingly like Braude, causing a unconvincingly like Braude c au s mg a frown on Monkliouse’s lined -and cane-! worn face, and an expression -of pro-; found pessimism. Kodomov said that though long residence in Russia had formed a bend between Thornton and Monkhousie, the e vi-dence showed that: Thornton did not tell Monkhouse- hli about.ihis -activities.- Monkhouge could not'.'have been th e central figure in the group as tli e prosecution alleged, because. Sokolov and MacDonald did r.ot name him, though they implicated Thornton.

Kodomov pleaded to the judges not to -confuse Monkhouse with Thornton, who, himself clearly the central figure, had attempted to (implicate MonkhoU6Q. v' ;: ' '

PRISONERS’ SPEECHES

(Received this day at 1.15 p.m.)

MOSCOW, April 18

Kodoraov’s <jmi s sion to ask the. judges •to, .acquit Monklionse and- hie failure ■to mention iMonkhousfe’s sensational charge that the trial was a “frame up” caused surprise.

At the conclusion of counsels’ speeches the prisoners were permitted t 0 address the Court.

Cushny said—“My counsel has torn to eh re (Is the laccusations against .me. Whateve r the verdict I shall leave tftp Court an honest man.”

MacDonald speaking in a dull monotone, js arid—(“l’ve acknowledged, my guilt. I have nothing to add.” Nordwall said—“lt wa s painful to hear the remarks of the prosecutor. I always did my work honestly and did all I could to help th (5 Soviet. O.G.P. U. treated, me fairly. The trial has ihepn most fair. I am not guilty-and Remain the friend of the Soviet Union.”

.Thornton said— <! I pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the trial, and still do. The -evidence against me is unreliable that’ s all.” -Monk'house said—“l am absolutely innoclent-. I am certain Thornton did voluntarily .sign the, confession implicating me of spying. I don’t believe the documents would hold good in any Court abroad. Regarding wrecking, I never knew a mother to plunge a dagger in the heart of her child. I have never bribed, and never will. Th l 3 'O.G.P.U. found no bribe in the • firm’s books.”

Gregory declared his innocence

AH the Russians including Kntusov-a and Sokolov, .pleaded guilty.