GUILTY OF TREASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26617, 13 November 1947, Page 7

GUILTY OF TREASON

LIFE SENTENCE IMPOSED RUMANIAN PEASANT PARTY LEADER Rec. 8 p.m. BUCHAREST, Nov. 11. Dr Juliu Maniu, the 74-year-old Rumanian Peasant Party leader, was found guilty of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. In addition, he found guilty of: First, an attempt, oh the State’s independence; secondly, undermining the Constitution; thirdly, inciting a rebellion and armed insurrection. Maniu, on each of these charges, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. lon Michalache, deputy party leader, was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. The court announced that, because of the advanced age of Maniu and Michalache, the sentences of hard labour had been converted to solitary confinement. The court also sentenced both to civil degradation and ordered confiscation of their fortunes. Seventeen other accused were sentenced to terms ranging from 12 months’ confinement to hard labour for life. Spectators in the court applauded the sentences. The counsel for Maniu and his codefendants appealed against the verdicts. “All the accusations against me are lies from beginning to end,” said Maniu, in the closing stages of the trial. Maniu and the other defendants were not allowed to read from their briefs or review evidence previously introduced. The president of the court frequently interrupted them with the observation: “You said that before.” Maniu denied that he worked with American agents. “In fact, the Americans were angry when I refused to create a quasi-mili-tary organisation,” he said. He admitted, however, that he had handed to the British and American missions documents and memoranda dealing with the Rumanian Government. “I did so because I considered the Government was breaking the terms of the Moscow agreement.” he said. Maniu also denied that he planned to overthrow the Government. “ It is easy to accuse, but I want proof,” he stated.