OGPU DENOUNCED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 9

OGPU DENOUNCED

MQNKHOUSE'S OUTBURST METHODS OF ACCUSERS DEPOSITIONS UNDER PRESSURE REMARKABLE COURT SCENES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April IG, 5.5 p.m.) MOSCOW. April 15 There was a remarkable scene at tho trial of the Vickers engineers in Moscow to-day. When the Court opened the New Zealander accused, Allan Monkhouse, rose and asked to be allowed to make a statement. Three times ho was interrupted by tho president of the Court, but ho succeeded in stating in English that the evidence of Sukuroutchin showed conclusively that tho whole case was a "frame-up" against tho Vickers Company, based on the evidence of terrorised Russian prisoners. Monkhouse got as far as saying that ho knew from his own experience in being subjected to 18 hours' uninterrupted interrogation—when the president requested him to postpone his statement till the proper timo. Tho whole proceedings wero disorganised and all messages were stopped until tho official stenographers supplied tho exact words used by Monkhouse. Tho journalists in Court could not restrain their excitement and hectically dashed to and fro. Monkhouse's outburst perceptibly brighteued tho British Embassy's personnel. The Court resumed after 20 minutes' delay. Prosecutor Sneers at Thornton Another of tho Russians who had pleaded guilty, Krashetnimikov, head engineer of tho Moscow electric station, accused of belonging to the socalled Moscow "sabotage group," stated in evidence that ho had received only 500 roubles from the Vickers firm, but said ho was promised more. Zorin, an engineer in tho Moscow power department, declared: "Thornton led me into sabotage by giving me 1000 roubles and asking mo to conceal defects in machinery and supply secret information." The prosecutor, M. Vishinsky, referring to Thornton's repeated denials and accusations, sneeringly remarked: " I suppose you deny that?" Thornton shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head. John Cushny, one of the Vickers engineers accused, a burly South African who served in the Air Force in the war, gave evidence that ho had worked in the Don Basin and then at Baku, where lie had 200 friends. He gave some needy men £5 notes and lent others money, which was returned. He denied any connection with the breakdown of turbines at Baku, which, ho said, was duo to Russians' carelessness in allowing water to enter. Thornton in Witness Box Oleinik, a Russian employed by Vickers in England and Russia for 20 years, declared that he had been associated with Nordwall in sabotaging in the .Don Basin when he spied in connection with military matters. He said he believed Thornton and Nordwall were working with another organisation. Thornton interjected that witness was lying. Oleinik tried to incriminate Monkhouse as well. At tho evening session Thornton entered the witness box. He spoke with increasing self-confidencc. He said he joined the Vickers firm after tho demobilisation and went to London every year to give the company information about his work. He used many methods to obtain business information. Thornton said he never spied but ho admitted breakdowns at Zoue\ ka, Baku, Cheliabinsk and Moscow. None were serious. Browbeaten by Inquisitors The prosecutor, interrupting, began to read Thornton's depositions when Thornton sharply interjected: "1 retracted all that. They questioned mo until I was exhausted. I was also questioned on four following days. I signed tlie depositions under pressure. " It was suggested that if I confessed I would be all right, but if 1 did not I should lie useless either to the Soviet or to England. I was so tired and browbeaten that I signed tho depositions dictated in Russian. I was not tortured." . , ~ , Tho Prosecutor: Which Englishman in Moscow taught you to tell that lie:' Thornton: No one. The Prosecutor: I know who dicl. Thornton: In this Court I deny sabotage. I have always done my work well. Woman Secretary's Story Denied Madame Kutosova, marcelled, manicured, powdered and rouged, stood in the witness box and answered in monosyllables leading questions She confirmed her depositions and admitted bribes which she said were not entered in the Vickers Company s books, but in Thornton's diary which was sent to England in December. Sukuroutchin, Krashetnemikov and Zorin, standing and speaking in unison, corroborated this evidence. Thornton then sprang to his feet saying: " I deny that." Madame Kutosova went on to say that she first noticed the .activities ot Thornton and Mac Donald in ISWO but sho was powerless as she had given her word to maintain silence. .... . " I was ignorant of tho details or sabotaging," said the witness. " I only heard conversations." . M. Vishinsky, tho prosecutor, denied the allegations of Thornton and Monkhouse that undue pressure was used when f hey were being questioned in the Lubianka prison. The Court was adjourned. The president, M. TTlrich, expects to finish the caso on Tuesday.