Compiled by Dennis McKinsey
[KEY STATEMENTS ARE IN ALL CAPS]
WHY THE TRIALS ARE VALID
1. The defendants testified against one another.
2. The defendants admitted their guilt.
3. The defendants didn't agree with every point and corrected or modified many showing it was not choreographed or rehearsed.
4. The defendants provided additional unexpected information not in the indictment.
5. Many of the defendants had spied for the Czar or the secret police prior to the revolution.
6. Most of the defendants had opposed Lenin and Stalin on many points back to the days of the revolution.
7. Those in the courtroom had no doubt the defendants were guilty.
8. Witnesses to the trial said they saw no evidence of torture or forced testimony.
9. There is no reason for them to admit guilt thinking they would be pardoned judging by prior trial results.
10. Some defendants said they were not tortured but they did torture their interrogators
11. Foreign engineers and specialists write that they themselves witnessed suspicious decisions and sabotage
When a defendant says he did it;
when his closest friends and allies say he did it;
when both he and his friends state how he did it;
when there is virtually unanimous agreement among courtroom observers that a defendant exhibits the characteristics of guilt;
when these courtroom observers comprise professional reporters and experienced criminal lawyers well versed in questioning, cross-examining and making judgments as to credibility;
when outside witnesses who are not defendants provide evidence of guilt;
when defendants show they have not been coached by admitting to many crimes
while denying others;
when the prosecutor and judge even disagree with one another at times;
when defendants show they are not under the prosecutor's control by arguing with and correcting the prosecutor at times;
when defendants provide additional evidence of their own guilt that the prosecutors were not even aware of and did not charge them with;
when defendants have a long history of being in various opposition groups;
when a defendant provides details of a crime that only those involved would know about;
when there is no evidence whatever of coercion, bribery, or intimidation of defendants;
when the Soviet government initially did not charge defendants with more serious crimes until additional information surfaced showing they were not trying to frame or eliminate the defendants even when given a chance;
when those on trial had historically made no secret of their constant attempts to hinder and oppose soviet power,
when a government puts people on trial even though not obligated to do so because they had already admitted their guilt,
when a government puts people on trial publicly so the whole world can see their guilt but has no assurance of what defendants may say;
when representatives of foreign states provide evidence of guilt,
when the prosecution has 2 documents written by Trotsky calling for terror against the Soviet government
that is more than enough material for any rational mind to vote for conviction
THE 1936 TRIAL--LIST OF DEFENDANTS AND THEIR RIGHTS
THE INDICTMENT
BLOC IN THE 1936 TRIAL WAS FORMED ONLY FOR ACTS AGAINST THE SOVIET LEADERS
1936 DEFENDANTS RESORTED FINALLY TO TERRORISM BECAUSE ALL ELSE HAD FAILED
WORDS FROM REINGOLD’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM KAMENEV’S TESTIMONY
KAMENEV WENT TO LENINGRAD TO ORGANIZE THE KILLING OF KIROV
WORDS FROM EVDOKIMOV’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM SMIRNOV’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM TER-VAGANYAN’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM PICKEL’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM MRACHKOVSKI’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM DREITZER’S TESTIMONY
TROTSKY TOOK OVER THE GROUP PLANNING TO KILL SOVIET LEADERS & HE SENT AGENTS
WORDS FROM OLBERG’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM BERMAN-YURIN’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM FRITZ DAVID’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM M. LURYE’S TESTIMONY
LEADERS OF THE BLOC PLANNED TO KILL THEIR OWN PEOPLE TO COVER THEIR TRACKS
MANY KEY BLOC LEADERS ADMIT THE BLOC CARRIED OUT THE KILLING OF KIROV
WORDS FROM ZINOVIEV’S TESTIMONY
ZINOVIEV ADMITS HIS CENTER ORGANIZED THE MURDER OF KIROV
WORDS FROM BAKAYEV’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM KAREV’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM MATORIN’S TESTIMONY
ALL THE DEFENDANTS FULLY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUILTY
SMIRNOV SAYS HE WAS ONLY TOLD BY SEDOV/TROTSKY TO COMMIT TERROR
SMIRNOV DENIES DOING ACTUAL TERROR BUT MANY TESTIFY AGAINST HIM
HOLTZMAN ADMITS HAVING BELONGED TO THE BLOC BUT SAYS HE ONLY RELAYED MESSAGES
MRACHKOVSKY ADMITS HE AND OTHERS ORGANIZED AN ANTI-SOVIET PROGRAM SECRETLY
MRACHKOVSKY SAYS HE GOT AN INVISIBLE INK LETTER FROM TROTSKY SAYING TO KILL STALIN
DREITZER WAS A TROTSKY BODYGUARD WHO ORGANIZED THE NOV 1927 DEMONSTRATION
DREITZER SAYS THE BLOC WAS UNITED & HAD RECEIVED TERRORISTIC ORDERS FROM TROTSKY
MRACHKOVSKY AND DREITZER SAY SMIRNOV IS LYING WHEN HE DENIES DISCUSSING TERRORISM
REINGOLD ADMITS BEING A LEADER OF THE TERRORISTS AND HELPING TO WRITE A PLATFORM
REINGOLD SAYS THE BLOC WAS FORMED BECAUSE THE GOVT WASN’T GOING TO FALL
BAKEYEV SAYS HE ONLY KNEW ABOUT PLANS TO KILL STALIN AND KIROV
PICKEL ADMITS WORKING & RECRUITING TO KILL STALIN AND SAID ZINOVIEV WAS IN CHARGE
WORDS FROM YAKOVLEV’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM [WITNESS] SAFONOVA’S TESTIMONY
EVIDENCE FROM SMIRNOV & WITNESSES PROVES HE WAS A TERRORIST LEADER FOR TROTSKY
SMIRNOV ADMITS HE WAS THE PRIMARY CONDUIT FOR TROTSKY’S INSTRUCTIONS
OLBERG WENT TO THE SU TO KILL STALIN IN 1933
WORDS FROM HOLTZMAN’S TESTIMONY
WORDS FROM N. LURYE’S TESTIMONY
STATEMENT BY VYSHINSKY
STATEMENT BY VYSHINSKY REGARDING TROTSKY, ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV
LAST PLEA OF MRACHKOVSKY
LAST PLEA OF EVDOKIMOV
LAST PLEA OF DREITZER
LAST PLEA OF REINGOLD
LAST PLEA OF BAKAYEV
LAST PLEA OF PICKEL
LAST PLEA OF KAMENEV
LAST PLEA OF ZINOVIEV
LAST PLEA OF SMIRNOV
LAST PLEA OF OLBERG
LAST PLEA OF BERMAN-YURIN
LAST PLEA OF HOLTZMAN
LAST PLEA OF N. LURYE
LAST PLEA OF M. LURYE
LAST PLEA OF TER-VAGANYAN
LAST PLEA OF FRITZ DAVID
SUMMATION OF THE 1936 TRIAL
THE VERDICT OF THE 1936 TRIAL
THE 1936 TRIAL--LIST OF DEFENDANTS
ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV, EVDOKIMOV, SMIRNOV, BAKAYEV,
TER-VAGANYAN, MRACHKOVSKY, DREITZER, HOLTZMAN, REINGOLD,
PICKLE, OLBERG, BERMAN-YURIN, FRITZ DAVID, M. LURYE AND N. LURYE
August 19
(Morning Session)
PRESIDENT ULRICH:...all the accused having declined the services of counsel and for defense, all rights to the defense are extended to them personally, i.e.., the right to put questions to the witnesses and to the other accused, to petition the court in all matters of procedure, to deliver speeches in their own defense, etc.. In addition to this, they retain the right of last pleas.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 9
THE INDICTMENT
On Jan. 15-16, 1935, the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR at a special session in the city of Leningrad tried the case of the underground counter-revolutionary group of Zinovievites calling itself the "Moscow center," the principal leaders of which among the others convicted in that case were Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, and Bakayev.
The trial established that the so-called " Moscow center," being the ideological and political leader of the Leningrad group of Zinovievites, knew that this group was inclined towards terrorism and did all it could to fan this inclination.
This had to be admitted also by the accused Zinoviev and Kamenev, who denied that they took any part in the murder of Comrade Kirov, hypocritically stating at the trial that they bore only moral and political responsibility for the assassination of Kirov.
It now transpires that 18 months ago, during the investigation of the case of the assassination of Comrade Kirov, the investigating and judicial authorities were not in possession of all the facts revealing the true role of the Zinovievite leaders of the so-called "Moscow center" on the one hand and the leaders of the Trotskyite underground organization on the other, in the whiteguard, terroristic underground activities.
On the strength of newly revealed circumstances ascertained by the investigating authorities in 1936 in connection with the discovery of a number of terrorist groups of Trotskyites and Zinovievites, THE INVESTIGATION HAS ESTABLISHED THAT ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV, YEVDOKIMOV, AND BAKAYEV, WHO WERE CONVICTED IN THE "MOSCOW CENTER" CASE, ACTUALLY NOT ONLY KNEW THAT THEIR ADHERENTS IN LENINGRAD WERE INCLINED TOWARDS TERRORISM, BUT WERE THE DIRECT ORGANIZERS OF THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE KIROV.
The investigation also established that Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev, and a number of other accused in the present case, who will be mentioned later, were the initiators and organizers of attempts which were being prepared on the lives of other leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and of the Soviet government as well.
The investigation has also established that the Zinovievites pursued their criminal terroristic practices in a direct bloc with the Trotskyites and with Leon Trotsky, who is abroad.
These newly revealed circumstances establish without a doubt that:
1) At the end of 1932 the Trotskyite and Zinovievite groups united and formed a united center consisting of Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev (from the Zinovievites) and Smirnov, Ter-Vaganyan, and Mrachkovsky (from the Trotskyites), all charged in the present case.
2) The principal condition for the union of these counter-revolutionary groups was their common recognition of individual terrorism against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet government.
3) Precisely from that time onwards (in 1932) the Trotskyites and Zinovievites, acting on direct instructions from Leon Trotsky, received by the united center through special agents, concentrated their hostile activities against the CPSU and the Soviet Government mainly on the organization of terrorism against the most prominent leaders of the Party and the Government.
4) WITH THIS END IN VIEW THE UNITED CENTER OF ORGANIZED SPECIAL TERRORIST GROUPS, PREPARED A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL MEASURES FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADES STALIN, VOROSHILOV, KAGANOVICH, KIROV, ORDJONIKIDZE, ZHDANOV, KOSSIOR, POSTYSHEV, AND OTHERS.
5) ONE OF THESE TERRORIST GROUPS, CONSISTING OF NIKOLAYEV, RUMYANTSEV, MANDELSTAMM, LEVIN, KOTOLYNOV, AND OTHERS, WHO WERE CONVICTED BY THE MILITARY COLLEGIUM OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE USSR ON DECEMBER 28-29, 1934, CARRIED OUT THE FOUL MURDER OF COMRADE KIROV ON DECEMBER 1ST, 1934, ON DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS FROM ZINOVIEV AND LEON TROTSKY AND UNDER THE DIRECT GUIDANCE OF THE UNITED CENTER.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 9-11
BLOC IN THE 1936 TRIAL WAS FORMED ONLY FOR ACTS AGAINST THE SOVIET LEADERS
The testimonies of Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Mrachkovsky, Bakayev and a number of other accused in the present case, have established beyond doubt that the only motive for organizing the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc was their striving to seize power at all costs, and that the sole and decisive means chosen for this purpose was the organization of terroristic acts against the most prominent leaders of the Party and the Government.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 12
1936 DEFENDANTS RESORTED FINALLY TO TERRORISM BECAUSE ALL ELSE HAD FAILED
Lacking all support in the working-class and the toiling masses of the people of the USSR, having lost all their ideological possessions, having no political program, and imbued with bitter hatred toward the socialist victories of our country, the leaders of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite counter-revolutionary bloc, Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev, sank definitively into the swamp of white-guardism, joined forces and merged with the most inveterate enemies of the Soviet power, and became the organizing force of the last remnants of the exploiting classes which had been routed in the USSR. In their desperation and hatred THEY RESORTED TO THE MOST DESPICABLE MEANS OF FIGHTING THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT AND THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU, NAMELY, POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS.
At first, in the face of the first successes of Socialism in the USSR, they held to their hopes that difficulties would rise, with which, in their calculations, the Soviet Power would not be able to cope. But later, seeing that these difficulties were being successfully overcome and that our country was emerging victorious from these difficulties, they frankly banked on the complication of international relations, on war, and the defeat of Soviet Power.
SEEING NO FAVORABLE PROSPECTS FOR THEMSELVES, THEY RESORTED TO THE GUN; THEY ORGANIZED UNDERGROUND TERRORISTIC GROUPS AND MADE USE OF THE MOST DETESTABLE METHOD OF FIGHTING, NAMELY TERRORISM.
At present the Trotskyite-Zinovievite conspirators, as a reason for their fight against the CPSU and the Soviet Government, no longer advance the claim that the Party and the Soviet Government are pursuing an allegedly wrong policy, or that the CPSU and the Soviet Government are leading the country to its doom, as they lyingly and slanderously asserted in the past. As their principal motive for resorting to terrorism they now advance the successes of the building of Socialism in the USSR, the successes in the cultural and economic growth of the country, which successes, demonstrating the ideological and political bankruptcy of the Trotskyites-Zinovievites, fanned their hatred of the Soviet Government still more and intensify their desire to avenge themselves on the Soviet Government for their political failure by resorting to terrorism.
IN SPITE OF OBDURATE DENIALS, THE ACCUSED ZINOVIEV WAS COMPELLED BY THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE WHICH WAS LAID BEFORE HIM BY THE INVESTIGATING AUTHORITIES TO ADMIT THAT:
"...THE MAIN OBJECT WHICH THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE CENTER PURSUED WAS THE ASSASSINATION OF THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU, AND IN THE FIRST PLACE THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN AND KIROV." (Vol. 12, p. 16)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 12-13
WORDS FROM REINGOLD’S TESTIMONY
STATES THE BLOC WAS FORMED TO KILL STALIN & OTHER SOVIET LEADERS
SAID THE TROT SECTION OF THE BLOC RECEIVED ORDERS FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN; QUOTED KAMENEV AS SAYING TROTSKY REPEATEDLY SAID THE TOP MUST BE REMOVED;
SAID KAMENEV STATED STALIN MUST BE KILLED AS THE ONLY WAY TO GET POWER;
SAID THE ONLY THING UNITING THE COUNTER-REV BLOC OF TERRORISTS WAS AGREEMENT TO KILL TO GET POWER;
SAYS ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM TO MASK AND DENY EVERYTHING;
SAYS THE LEADERS OF THE BLOC COULD GET CLOSER TO STALIN AND INSTALL TROTSKY BY BEING FORGIVEN;
SAYS ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM HE PREPARED THE KILLING OF KIROV;
SAID ZINOVIEV SAID KIROV MUST BE PHYSICALLY DESTROYED AS STALIN'S CLOSEST ASSISTANT;
SAID ZINOVIEV MUST BE KILLED BECAUSE HE DESTROYED THE BLOC IN LENINGRAD;
ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM THAT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO FELL THE OAK SINCE ALL THE YOUNG OAKS GROWING AROUND IT MUST BE FELLED TOO WHICH MEANT THE KILLING OF STALIN, KAGANOVICH, AND KIROV;
LEARNED FROM DREITZER THAT 2 MILITARY MEN HAD AGREED TO KILL VOROSHILOV;
CONFIRMS THAT ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV, BAKAYEV, EVDOKIMOV, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, TER-VAGANYAN, AND SOKOLNIKOV WERE MEMBERS OF THE BLOC:
SAYS ZINOVIEV WANTED TO KILL STALIN AND OTHER LEADERS AND THEY DECIDED TO WORK WITH THE RIGHTISTS;
EVDOKIMOV SAID THEY SHOULD SUSPEND TERRORISTIC ACTIVITY UNTIL ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV RETURN FROM EXILE;
SAYS ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV DECEPTIVELY RECANTED TO REENTER THE PARTY TO UNDERMINE AND THEY ADMIT IT;
SAYS ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV INTENDED TO PUT BAKAYEV AT THE HEAD OF THE GPU TO KILL THEIR OWN AGENTS AND THOSE OF THE GPU;
SAYS KAMENEV IS LYING WHEN HE DENIES THEY INTENDED TO KILL THEIR OWN ASSASSINS
Another member of the center, accused Reingold, during examination on July 3rd, 1936, testified:
"... The main thing on which all the members of the bloc agreed was...the recognition of the necessity of consolidating all forces to capture the Party leadership. I MUST ADMIT THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL AIM OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC WAS TO REMOVE BY VIOLENCE THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CPSU AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT, AND STALIN IN THE FIRST PLACE. At the end of 1932 the center adopted a decision to organize the fight against the leadership of the CPSU and the Government by terroristic means. I KNOW THAT THE TROTSKYITE SECTION OF THE BLOC RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS FROM LEON TROTSKY TO ADOPT THE PATH OF TERRORISM AND TO PREPARE ATTEMPTS ON THE LIFE OF STALIN." (Vol. 27, p. 82)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 13
Similar evidence was also given by a member of the Moscow terrorist center, Reingold, who testified as follows:
"...I met Kamenev in the second half of 1933 and also in 1934 in his apartment in Moscow.
Kamenev appraised the situation in approximately the same way as Zinoviev and backed his conclusions by an analysis of the economic and political situation in the country. Kamenev arrived at the conclusion that after all, things were not moving toward catastrophe but were on an upgrade; therefore all expectations of an automatic collapse were groundless...."
"KAMENEV REPEATEDLY QUOTED TROTSKY AS SAYING: 'THE WHOLE MATTER IS IN THE TOP, THEREFORE THE TOP MUST BE REMOVED.'
"KAMENEV ADVOCATED THE NECESSITY OF A TERRORIST STRUGGLE AND PRIMARILY THE NECESSITY OF KILLING STALIN, POINTING OUT THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY OF COMING TO POWER. I PARTICULARLY REMEMBER HIS CYNICAL REMARK THAT 'HEADS ARE PECULIAR IN THAT THEY DO NOT GROW ON AGAIN.'
"Kamenev proposed that terrorist gunmen be trained. He said that the distinguishing feature of the new bloc compared with the previous opposition bloc was the adoption of energetic terroristic action." (Vol. 27, p. 61)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 15-16
Reingold further said:
"...I have already stated above that the Trotskyite-Zinovievite united bloc had no new political program. It based itself upon the old threadbare platform, and none of the leaders of the bloc occupied themselves with, or were interested in the question of drawing up any kind of political program that was to any degree complete and consistent. THE ONLY THING THAT UNITED THIS HETEROGENEOUS BLOC WAS THE IDEA OF A TERRORIST FIGHT AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT.
"AS A MATTER OF FACT THE BLOC WAS A COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY TERRORIST GANG OF ASSASSINS WHO STROVE TO SEIZE POWER IN THE COUNTRY BY ANY MEANS WHATEVER." (Vol. 27, pp. 72-73)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 16
One of the principal aims of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc was in every possible way to conceal and mask its counter-revolutionary activities and the organization of terroristic acts.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967, p. 19
The accused Reingold testified:
"...IN 1933-34 ZINOVIEV TOLD ME WHEN I WAS ALONE WITH HIM IN HIS APARTMENT THAT: '...THE PRINCIPAL PRACTICAL TASK IS TO ORGANIZE THE TERRORISTIC WORK SO SECRETLY AS TO PRECLUDE OUR BEING COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY....'
“’...When under examination the main thing is persistently to deny any connection with the organization. If accused of terroristic activities, you must emphatically deny it and argue that terror is incompatible with the views of Bolsheviks-Marxists'." (Vol. 27, pp. 110, 112)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967, p. 19
Similar instructions were given by Leon Trotsky, who recommended that when terroristic acts were committed they should be disavowed and "a position should be taken up analogous to that taken up by the Central Committee of the Socialist-Revolutionaries toward Madame Kaplan" who shot at Lenin.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 19
While preparing the assassination of Comrade Stalin and other leaders of the CPSU, the united center simultaneously strove by all means in its power to give assurances of its loyalty and even devotion to the Party and the Soviet power, of its repentance of past mistakes, and of its readiness to serve the Proletarian Revolution honestly. The leaders of the united center figured that having been "forgiven" they could, after killing Comrade Stalin, utilize this "forgiveness" to come into power. On this point the accused Reingold testified:
"...THEY BELIEVED - I'M SPEAKING OF THE LEADERS OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE CENTER - THAT THE FACT THAT WE WERE FORGIVEN WHILE STALIN WAS ALIVE, THE FACT THAT CONFIDENCE WAS PLACED IN US, WOULD ENSURE OUR COMING NEARER TO THE LEADERSHIP AND TO POWER; AND FOLLOWING THIS, AFTER ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV, AND THEIR SUPPORTERS HAD COME INTO POWER, THEY WOULD ENSURE THE RETURN ALSO OF TROTSKY TO THE LEADERSHIP AND TO POWER." (Vol. 7,p. 168)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 19-20
Detailed evidence on the role played by Zinoviev, Bakayev, and the whole of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center in the murder of Comrade Kirov was given by the accused Reingold, who stated the following:
"I LEARNED PERSONALLY FROM ZINOVIEV THAT THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV IN LENINGRAD WAS PREPARED ON HIS DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS and on the instructions of the center of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc. During this conversation with Zinoviev, which took place in his apartment in August 1934, he, as I have already stated reproached the Moscow action group for being slow and not sufficiently active.
In giving the reasons for the necessity of committing a terroristic act against Kirov, ZINOVIEV SAID THAT KIROV MUST BE PHYSICALLY DESTROYED AS STALIN'S CLOSEST ASSISTANT. He also added: 'It is not enough to fell the oak; all the young oaks growing around it must be felled too.' ANOTHER ARGUMENT ZINOVIEV USED IN SUPPORT OF THE NECESSITY OF MURDERING KIROV WAS THAT KIROV WAS THE LEADER OF THE LENINGRAD ORGANIZATION AND WAS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ROUT OF THE OPPOSITION IN LENINGRAD. (Vol. 27, p. 70)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 32
The accused Reingold testified that Zinoviev, while speaking of the necessity of assassinating Comrade Kirov as Stalin's closest assistant, added:
"IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO FELL THE OAK; ALL THE YOUNG OAKS GROWING AROUND IT MUST BE FELLED TOO." (Vol. 27, p. 70)
According to Reingold's testimony:
"ZINOVIEV'S MAIN INSTRUCTIONS AMOUNTED TO THE FOLLOWING: THE BLOW MUST BE DIRECTED AGAINST STALIN, KAGANOVICH, AND KIROV." (Vol. 27, p. 63)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 35
The testimony of Mrachkovsky and Dreitzer was also confirmed by the accused Reingold, who testified as follows:
"I learned from Mrachkovsky and Dreitzer that in the summer of 1933 a Trotskyite group of military men was organized under the leadership of Dreitzer. The group consisted of Schmidt, commander of a brigade of the Red Army, Kuzmichev, chief of staff of a military unit, and a number of other persons whose names I do not know. I LEARNED FROM DREITZER THAT SCHMIDT AND KUZMICHEV WERE TO CARRY OUT PERSONALLY THE TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST VOROSHILOV AND THAT THEY HAD AGREED TO DO SO. It was planned that for this purpose they would either take advantage of an official reception by Voroshilov, or of Voroshilov's visit to one of their military units." (Vol. 27, pp. 165-166)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 36
REINGOLD: I can confirm that Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bakayev, Evdokimov, Smirnov, Mrachkovsky, Ter-Vaganyan, and Sokolnikov were members of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center.... The idea of the Zinovievites uniting with the Trotskyites, arose as far back as 1931. Meeting Zinoviev in his apartment and in his villa that year, I heard him say that it was a pity that we had fallen out with Trotsky.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 54-55
VYSHINSKY: How did Zinoviev and Kamenev reconcile terroristic activities with Marxism?
REINGOLD: In 1932, ZINOVIEV, AT KAMENEV'S APARTMENT, IN THE PRESENCE OF A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE UNITED TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE CENTER ARGUED IN FAVOR OF RESORTING TO TERRORISM AS FOLLOWS: although terror is incompatible with Marxism, at the present moment these considerations must be abandoned. There are no other methods available of fighting the leaders of the Party and the Government at the present time. Stalin combines in himself all the strength and firmness of the present Party leadership. Therefore Stalin must be put out of the way in the first place. Kamenev enlarged on this theory and said that the former methods of fighting, namely, attempts to win the masses, combinations with the leaders of the Rightists, and banking on economic difficulties, have failed. THIS IS WHY THE ONLY METHOD OF STRUGGLE AVAILABLE IS TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN AND HIS CLOSEST COMRADES-IN-ARMS, KIROV, VOROSHILOV, KAGANOVICH, ORDJONIKIDZE, POSTYSHEV, KOSSIOR, AND THE OTHERS.
For this purpose it was decided to create an organization of the most carefully chosen and resolute people who could go right through with the job. SIMULTANEOUSLY, NEGOTIATIONS WERE CARRIED ON WITH THE LEADERS OF THE RIGHTISTS: BUKHARIN AND TOMSKY. After these negotiations Zinoviev definitely said that he had found common political ground with Tomsky in appraising the policy of our country. These conversations continued in 1932 and were carried on between Kamenev, Tomsky, and Rykov. Communication with Bukharin was maintained through Karev, an active Zinovievite who was closely connected with the two terroristic groups of Slepkov and Eismont....
There was an interruption in our terroristic activities between the autumn of 1932 and the summer of 1933 caused by the fact that Zinoviev and Kamenev were compromised in connection with the Ryutin case. In connection with that, in the beginning of 1933, at one of the conferences...EVDOKIMOV PASSED ON THE INSTRUCTION IN THE NAME OF THE UNITED CENTER TO SUSPEND TERRORISTIC WORK UNTIL ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV HAD RETURNED FROM EXILE, UNTIL THEY HAD DECLARED THEIR REPENTANCE, WERE REINSTATED IN THE PARTY, AND HAD GAINED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONFIDENCE."
VYSHINSKY: Did Evdokimov say that?
REINGOLD: Evdokimov spoke about that.
VYSHINSKY: Did Evdokimov know that Zinoviev and Kamenev were to declare their repentance?
REINGOLD: He did. He knew that this was in the nature of the Zinovievite organization, which in the past had had no little experience in this sort of repentance.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 55-56
Reingold goes on to tell the Court about the duplicity which Zinoviev and Kamenev had elevated to a system. Zinoviev and Kamenev, he says, insisted upon every advantage being taken of legal possibilities for the purpose of "crawling on the belly into the Party" - this was Zinoviev's favorite expression - and of winning the confidence of the Party, particularly of Stalin. After this confidence had been restored, strictly secret terroristic work was to be carried on parallel with open work. The combination of these two methods represented the means which, as Zinoviev and Kamenev calculated, could bring them to power. In the event of a success of the terroristic plans, continues Reingold Zinoviev and Kamenev, having been reinstated in the party under Stalin, having been forgiven by him, thought they could return to power in the "natural" way.
VYSHINSKY: I UNDERSTAND THEN FROM WHAT YOU SAY THAT BOTH KAMENEV AND ZINOVIEV PROCEEDED ALONG TWO LINES: ON THE ONE HAND THEY DID ALL THEY POSSIBLY COULD TO DISPLAY THEIR LOYALTY, THEIR DEVOTION TO THE PARTY, WHILE ON THE OTHER HAND IT WAS THEY WHO WERE PREPARING TERRORIST ACTS AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY. IS THAT RIGHT?
REINGOLD: YES.
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED ZINOVIEV, REINGOLD'S TESTIMONY IMPLICATES YOU IN A GRAVE CRIME. DO YOU ADMIT YOUR GUILT?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED KAMENEV, I PUT THE SAME QUESTION TO YOU.
KAMENEV: I ANSWER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
...Comrade Vyshinsky reminds Kamenev that he admitted this only after Reingold had given his evidence; that at the preliminary investigation he did not admit this until he had been implicated by others.
VYSHINSKY: SO YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAD SUCH A MONSTROUS PLAN?
KAMENEV: YES, THERE WAS SUCH A MONSTROUS PLAN.
VYSHINSKY: YOU WORKED OUT THIS MONSTROUS PLAN AND CONFIRM THIS NOW?
KAMENEV: YES, I DO.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 56-57
Asked by Comrade Vyshinsky how the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center had intended to cover up the traces of terroristic crimes, the accused Reingold states that in the event of their coming to power, the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center intended to kill off all the officials of the GPU who as they supposed might have in their hands threads of the "terroristic conspiracy against the state," and that all their own adherents who were directly and immediately involved in terrorism were likewise to be killed off.
REINGOLD: ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV WERE BOTH OF THE OPINION, AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS, THAT ON THE MORROW OF THE COUP D'ETAT, AFTER THE SEIZURE OF POWER, BAKAYEV SHOULD BE PUT AT THE HEAD OF THE GPU IN THE CAPACITY OF CHAIRMAN OF THE GPU. BY THE USE OF THE GPU MACHINERY, HE WAS TO ASSIST IN COVERING UP THE TRACES, IN DOING AWAY WITH, IN KILLING, NOT ONLY THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PEOPLE'S COMMISSARIAT FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS-THE GPU, WHO MIGHT BE IN POSSESSION OF ANY THREADS OF THE CONSPIRACY, BUT ALSO ALL THE DIRECT PERPETRATORS OF TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN AND HIS IMMEDIATE ASSISTANTS. BY THE HAND OF BAKAYEV THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE ORGANIZATION WAS TO DESTROY ITS OWN ACTIVISTS, ITS OWN TERRORISTIC GUNMEN, WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.
It was also proposed that after the seizure of power Trotsky was to be recalled from abroad and with his support all those who were most devoted to Stalin were to be removed from Party and Soviet posts. Thus it was proposed to seize all power in the country.
Reingold's statements, and also the replies to questions put to Bakayev and Zinoviev by Vyshinsky, revealed Bakayev in the role of organizer of terrorist groups for which particularly "reliable" persons had to be recruited.
Among those "reliable" persons who were named were Bogdan, Zinoviev's former secretary, Radin and Faivilovich, active Zinovievites, and Rumyantsev and Kotolynov, the terrorists, who were executed in connection with the murder of Kirov.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 58-59
At the end of the examination Vyshinsky reminds Kamenev that in his testimony on Aug. 10 he stated that the conspirators intended, after seizing power, to appoint Bakayev chief of the 0GPU and so cover up the traces of their crimes.
Kamenev asserts that the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center had in this connection not the intention of physically exterminating those who directly committed terroristic acts, but of diverting the investigation of terroristic acts into false channels.
The accused Reingold categorically asserts that the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center intended to wipe out their gunmen terrorists in order to shield the Trotskyite-Zinovievite leaders and cover up the traces of the crimes. Indignant at Kamenev's statement Reingold says,
REINGOLD: LET KAMENEV NOT PRETEND THAT HE IS SUCH AN INNOCENT CREATURE. HE IS A HARDENED POLITICIAN WHO WOULD FORCE HIS WAY TO POWER OVER MOUNTAINS OF CORPSES. WOULD HE HESITATE TO KILL OFF ONE OR TWO TERRORISTS? NO ONE WILL BELIEVE HIM!
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 69-70
WORDS FROM KAMENEV’S TESTIMONY
SAID HIS ALLIES DECIDED THEY COULD ONLY WIN BY TERROR AGAINST STALIN BECAUSE HIS POLICIES WERE WORKING;
THEY REALIZED THEIR HOPE FOR COLLAPSE HAD FAILED BY LATE 1932; SAYS THE BLOC INTENDED TO COME TO POWER BY KILLING STALIN AND THEN OPENING NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER PARTY LEADERS; SAYS HE, ZINOVIEV, AND TROTSKY INTENDED TO KEEP THEIR ROLES SECRET;
SAYS ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM THE BLOC HAD DECIDED TO KILL STALIN AND KIROV;
SAYS SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN, EMPHATICALLY INSISTED ON THIS DECISION;
SAYS THEY HAD DIRECT ORDERS FROM TROTSKY;
ADMITS HE COMPLETELY AGREED WITH THE DECISION TO KILL STALIN AND KIROV;
ADMITS TELLING BAKAYEV TO GO TO LENINGRAD TO PREPARE THE KIROV KILLING;
SAYS BAKAYEV TOLD HIM THE PLAN BY THE BLOC TO KILL KIROV WAS READY;
SAYS THE CONSPIRACY WAS ORGANIZED AND GUIDED BY HIMSELF, ZINOVIEV, AND TROTSKY;
SAYS THE BLOC GAVE UP ON ANY SERIOUS INTERNAL PROBLEMS LEADING TO AN OVERTHROW SO THEY ADOPTED TERROR;
SAYS HE WAS ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING TERRORISM CONVEYED BY SMIRNOV AND MRACHKOVSKY WERE THE EXACT INSTRUCTIONS OF TROTSKY; SAYS THE BLOC INTENDED TO SEIZE POWER BY KILLING STALIN;
SAYS SMIRNOV’S DENIALS OF GUILT ARE RIDICULOUS;
SAYS HE AND OTHERS DECIDED TO KILL KIROV AND THE TROTS WERE PUSHING HARD TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS;
ADMITS HIS HANDS DIRECTLY WORKED TO KILL KIROV;
HE STATES THE NAMES OF THE TROTS AND ZINOVITES DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN KILLING KIROV;
SAYS HE PERSONALLY NEGOTIATED WITH RIGHTS AND TROTS AND THEY ALL AGREED;
ADMITS USING LOW AND VILE METHODS IN A THRIST FOR POWER AS A COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY
Exhaustive evidence on the same point was also given during the examination on July 23rd, 1936 by the accused Kamenev. The accused Kamenev stated:
"...The emergence from the difficulties, the victory of the policy of the Central Committee of the CPSU caused in us a new wave of animosity and hatred towards the leadership of the Party, and primarily toward Stalin."
"...We, i.e., the Zinovievite center of the counter-revolutionary organization, the members of which I have enumerated above, and the Trotskyite counter-revolutionary organization in the persons of Smirnov, Mrachkovsky, and Ter-Vaganyan, negotiated in 1932 to unite both the Zinovievite and Trotskyite counter-revolutionary organizations for joint preparation of terroristic acts against the leaders of the Central Committee and in the first place against Stalin and Kirov."
"...THE MAIN THING IS THAT IN 1932 BOTH ZINOVIEV AND WE, NAMELY, MYSELF (KAMENEV), EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, AND THE TROTSKYITE LEADERS, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN, DECIDED THAT THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE COULD HOPE TO COME TO POWER WAS TO ORGANIZE TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU AND PRIMARILY AGAINST STALIN. It was precisely on this basis of a terroristic struggle against the leaders of the CPSU that negotiations for the union were conducted between ourselves and the Trotskyites." (Vol. 15, pp. 10-13)
"...However, OUR BANKING ON THE INSUPERABILITY OF THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH THE COUNTRY WAS EXPERIENCING, ON THE STATE OF CRISIS OF ITS ECONOMY, ON THE COLLAPSE OF THE ECONOMIC POLICY OF THE PARTY LEADERSHIP HAD OBVIOUSLY FAILED BY THE SECOND HALF OF 1932.
"Overcoming the difficulties, the country, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the CPSU was successfully advancing along the road of economic growth. We could not help seeing this."
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 13-14
This was also testified to during examination by the accused Kamenev:
"...We discussed this question more than once. WE OUTLINED AND DECIDED ON TWO POSSIBLE WAYS FOR THE LEADERS OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC TO COME TO POWER."
"THE FIRST, AND WHAT SEEMED TO US TO BE THE MOST FEASIBLE WAY, WAS THAT AFTER A TERRORISTIC ACT HAD BEEN COMMITTED AGAINST STALIN, THAT WOULD ENSURE CONFUSION IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT, AND NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE OPENED WITH US, THE LEADERS OF THE ZINOVIEVITE BLOC AND IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV, AND TROTSKY."
"We assumed that in these negotiations, myself and Zinoviev would occupy the leading positions in the Party and the country, for even with Stalin we, by our policy of double-dealing, had attained, after all, forgiveness of our mistakes by the Party and had been taken back into its ranks, WHILE OUR PARTICIPATION, THAT IS MINE, ZINOVIEV AND TROTSKY'S, IN THE TERRORISTIC ACTS WOULD REMAIN SECRET FROM THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY."
"Trotsky's appearance and his active participation in the struggle for power were taken as a matter of course." (Vol. 15, pp. 33-34)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 20-21
This was also testified by the accused Kamenev, who confirmed the fact that a conference had taken place in Ilyinskoye at which it was decided to commit terroristic acts against Comrades Stalin and Kirov. The accused Kamenev testified:
"I must admit that before the conference in Ilyinskoye ZINOVIEV INFORMED ME OF THE PROPOSED DECISIONS OF THE CENTER OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC TO ORGANIZE TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN AND KIROV, declaring that the representatives of the Trotskyites in the center of the bloc, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN, EMPHATICALLY INSISTED ON THIS DECISION, that THEY HAD DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS MATTER FROM TROTSKY, and that they demanded that a start be made in putting these measures into practice in pursuance of those principles which formed the basis of the bloc." (Vol. 15, pp. 15-16)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 31-32
To this the accused Kamenev added:
"I JOINED IN THIS DECISION BEING IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH IT." (Vol. 15, p. 16)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 32
VYSHINSKY (to Kamenev): DID YOU GIVE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV?
KAMENEV: YES, IN THE AUTUMN.
VYSHINSKY: IN THE AUTUMN YOU AND EVDOKIMOV INSTRUCTED BAKAYEV TO GO TO LENINGRAD TO CHECK UP ON THE PROGRESS WHICH WAS BEING MADE BY THE LENINGRAD TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE GROUP IN ITS PREPARATIONS TO ASSASSINATE KIROV? IS THAT RIGHT, DO YOU CONFIRM THAT?
KAMENEV: YES THAT IS TRUE. I CONFIRM THAT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 46
In reply to further questions put by Comrade Vyshinsky to Bakayev it was ascertained that after his visit to Leningrad, Bakayev reported to Yevdokimov and Kamenev on the progress of the preparation for the assassination of Kirov. Asked by Comrade Vyshinsky whether Bakayev had actually reported to him, Kamenev answered in the affirmative.
VYSHINSKY: WHAT DID HE [BAKAYEV] REPORT TO YOU?
KAMENEV: HE SAID THAT THE ORGANIZATION WAS PREPARED TO STRIKE A BLOW AND THAT THE BLOW WOULD BE STRUCK.
VYSHINSKY: AND WHAT WAS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THIS?
KAMENEV: THE BLOW WAS PLANNED AND PREPARED ON THE ORDER OF THE CENTER OF WHICH I WAS A MEMBER, AND I REGARDED IT AS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE TASK WE HAD SET OURSELVES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 49-50
KAMENEV: THE TERRORIST CONSPIRACY WAS ORGANIZED AND GUIDED BY MYSELF, ZINOVIEV, AND TROTSKY. I became convinced that the policy of the Party, the policy of its leadership, had been victorious in the only sense in which the political victory in the land of socialism is possible, that this policy was recognized by the masses of the toilers. Our banking on the possibility of a split in the Party also proved groundless. We counted on the Rightist group of Rykov, Bukharin, and Tomsky. The removal of this group from the leadership and the fact that it had become discredited in the eyes of the toiling masses deprived us of this trump card as well. IT WAS NO USE COUNTING ON ANY KIND OF SERIOUS INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES TO SECURE THE OVERTHROW OF THE LEADERSHIP which had guided the country through extremely difficult stages, through industrialization, and collectivization. TWO PATHS REMAINED: EITHER HONESTLY AND COMPLETELY TO PUT A STOP TO THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PARTY, OR TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE, but without any hope of obtaining any mass support whatsoever, without a political platform, without a banner, that is to say, by means of individual terror. WE CHOSE THE SECOND PATH. In this we were guided by our boundless hatred of the leaders of the Party and the country, and by a thirst for power with which we were once so closely associated and from which we were cast aside by the course of historical development.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 65
Replying to Comrade Vyshinsky, the accused Kamenev relates to the Court how the Zinovievites entered into a bloc with the Trotskyites....
KAMENEV: We carried on negotiations about the bloc with Smirnov, Mrachkovsky, and Ter-Vaganyan, not as with men who independently issued political instructions. They were of value to us as men who precisely repeated the instructions of Trotsky. Knowing Smirnov and Mrachkovsky as active Trotskyites, knowing that Smirnov had been abroad and had established contact with Trotsky there, WE WERE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING TERRORISM CONVEYED BY SMIRNOV AND MRACHKOVSKY, AND SUPPORTED BY THEM, WERE THE EXACT INSTRUCTIONS OF TROTSKY. It was on this basis, and because Trotsky's instructions on terror coincided with our own inclinations, that we concluded what is here called a "bloc," and what should be called a narrow terrorist conspiracy. THIS CONSPIRACY TOOK SHAPE IN 1932 AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL UNION WHICH HAD NO PLATFORM AT ALL, AND WHICH SET ITSELF THE AIM OF SEIZING POWER BY DISORGANIZING THE GOVERNMENT BY TERRORISTIC MEANS, BY ELIMINATING AND ASSASSINATING STALIN,...as well as his nearest comrades-in-arms.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 65-66
The accused Kamenev fully confirms the leading part played by Smirnov in the Trotskyite part of the terrorist Trotskyite-Zinovievite center, and CONCERNING SMIRNOV'S DENIALS HE SAYS
KAMENEV: IT IS RIDICULOUS WRIGGLING, WHICH ONLY CREATES A COMICAL IMPRESSION.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 66
KAMENEV: IN THE SUMMER OF 1932 A MEETING OF OUR ZINOVIEVITE CENTER WAS HELD IN OUR VILLA IN ILYINSKOYE. I MYSELF, ZINOVIEV, EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, KUKLIN, AND KAREV WERE PRESENT. At this meeting Zinoviev reported that the union with the Trotskyites, who had received Trotsky's personal instructions to commit terroristic acts, was an accomplished fact. At this very meeting Bakayev was instructed to carry out a terroristic act in Moscow, and Karev in Leningrad. The exile of myself and Zinoviev somewhat held up the execution of our terroristic plans. When we returned to Moscow, we made no changes whatever in the basis of our bloc. On the contrary, we proceeded to press forward the terroristic conspiracy. This pressing forward was caused by two circumstances: first the collapse of the policy of double-dealing pursued by Zinoviev, who was removed from the editorial board of the Bolshevik. This made us fear that information about our connection with Trotsky might have reached the Party leadership. SECONDLY, THE TROTSKYITES ENERGETICALLY INSISTED ON EXPEDITING THE TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES, HAVING RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS TO THIS EFFECT FROM TROTSKY. Organizationally, this found expression in THE DECISION THAT WAS ADOPTED TO HASTEN THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN AND THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV.
In June 1934 I myself went to Leningrad where I instructed the active Zinovievite Yakovlev to prepare an attempt on the life of Kirov parallel with the Nikolayev-Kotolynov group. In the beginning of November 1934 I learned from Bakayev's report all the details of the preparations that were being made by the Nikolayev group to assassinate Kirov.
VYSHINSKY: WAS KIROV'S ASSASSINATION DIRECTLY THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS?
KAMENEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 66-67
KAMENEV: THE CENTER OF THE CONSPIRACY CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS: MYSELF, ZINOVIEV, EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, AND KUKLIN, ON BEHALF OF THE ZINOVIEVITES; SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN ON THE HALF OF THE TROTSKYITES. Among the leaders of the conspiracy another person may be named who in point of fact was one of the leaders, but who, in view of the special plans we made in regard to him, was not drawn into the practical work. I refer to Sokolnikov.
VYSHINSKY: Who was a member of the center, but whose part was kept a strict secret?
KAMENEV: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 67
KAMENEV: IN 1932 I PERSONALLY CONDUCTED NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SO-CALLED "LEFTIST" GROUP OF LOMINADZE AND SHATSKY. IN THIS GROUP I FOUND ENEMIES OF THE PARTY LEADERSHIP QUITE PREPARED TO RESORT TO THE MOST DETERMINED MEASURES OF STRUGGLE AGAINST IT.... IN 1932, 1933, AND 1934 I PERSONALLY MAINTAINED RELATIONS WITH TOMSKY AND BUKHARIN AND SOUNDED THEIR POLITICAL SENTIMENTS. THEY SYMPATHIZED WITH US. When I asked Tomsky about Rykov's frame of mind, he replied: "Rykov thinks the same as I do."...
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 68
KAMENEV: I can admit only one thing: that having set ourselves the monstrously criminal aim of disorganizing the government of the land of socialism, WE RESORTED TO METHODS OF STRUGGLE WHICH IN OUR OPINION SUITED THIS AIM AND WHICH ARE AS LOW AND AS VILE as the aim which we set before ourselves.
VYSHINSKY: Consequently, your struggle against the leaders of the Party and the government was GUIDED BY MOTIVES OF A PERSONAL BASE CHARACTER - BY THE THIRST FOR PERSONAL POWER?
KAMENEV: Yes, by the thirst for power of our group.
VYSHINSKY: Don't you think that this has nothing in common with social ideals?
KAMENEV: It has as much in common as revolution has with counter-revolution.
VYSHINSKY: THAT IS, YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF COUNTER-REVOLUTION?
KAMENEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: Consequently, you clearly perceive that you are fighting against socialism?
KAMENEV: We clearly perceive that we are fighting against the leaders of the Party and of the government who are leading the country to socialism.
VYSHINSKY: Thereby you are fighting socialism as well, aren't you?
KAMENEV: You are drawing the conclusion of an historian and prosecutor.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 68-69
KAMENEV WENT TO LENINGRAD TO ORGANIZE THE KILLING OF KIROV
...Kamenev made a special journey to Leningrad in June 1934 for checking up on the progress of the work of organizing the terroristic act against Kirov.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 34
WORDS FROM EVDOKIMOV’S TESTIMONY
SAYS MRACHKOVSKY & SMIRNOV PROPOSED UNITY UNDER TROTSKY FOR TERROR AGAINST SOVIET LEADERS;
SAYS THE KIROV KILLING WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE BLOC LEADERS; SAYS ZINOVIEV GAVE DIRECT ORDERS TO BAKAYEV TO ORGANIZE THE MURDER OF KIROV;
SAYS KAMENEV, MRACHKOVSKY AND TER-VAGANYAN HELPED ORGANIZE THE MURDER OF KIROV;
BAKAYEV TOLD HIM HE WENT TO LENINGRAD TO ORGANIZE THE KILLING OF KIROV;
ADMITS BEING IN THE CENTER AND HELPING TO PLAN THE KILLINGS OF GOVT LEADERS AND KIROV;
SAYS HE DISCUSSED TERRORISM WITH SMIRNOV WHO WAS EAGER TO START;
SAYS TERRORIST ACTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO SMIRNOV ON ZINOVIEV’S PROPOSAL;
SAYS HE WAS AT A MEETING WHERE IT WAS DECIDED TO EXPEDITE THE KILLING OF KIROV;
ADMITS HE, ZINOVIEV, AND KAMENEV PREPARED THE KILLING OF KIROV
In reply to the question put to him by the investigating authorities on what basis the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc arose, the accused Evdokimov stated:
"...Mrachkovsky said: 'The hopes we have placed on the collapse of the Party's policy must be considered doomed. The methods of struggle used up to now have not produced any positive results. THERE REMAINS ONLY ONE PATH OF STRUGGLE, AND THAT IS THE REMOVAL OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT BY VIOLENCE....' SEEING THAT I AGREED WITH HIM, MRACHKOVSKY, NO LONGER HAVING ANY FEAR THAT I WOULD NOT SUPPORT HIM, WENT ON TO SAY: 'STALIN AND THE OTHER LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE REMOVED. THIS IS THE PRINCIPAL TASK.'
"RIGHT THERE, MRACHKOVSKY INFORMED ME THAT THE TROTSKYITES HAD RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS FROM TROTSKY ON THE NECESSITY OF ORGANIZING TERRORISTIC ATTEMPTS ON THE LIVES OF THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT, that Trotsky, being outside the Soviet Union, correctly defined the tasks of the fight against the leadership of the CPSU. At the same time, by the logic of the struggle, Mrachkovsky himself and other Trotskyites had come to the conclusion that terrorism was the only road of struggle remaining.... Smirnov expressed the same views as Mrachkovsky.... IN CONCLUSION MRACHKOVSKY AND SMIRNOV PROPOSED TO UNITE THE FORCES OF THE TROTSKYITES AND ZINOVIEVITES AND TO PROCEED TO CREATE SECRET TERRORIST GROUPS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT." (Vol. 36, p. 10)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 15
The accused Evdokimov declared at the examination on August 10, 1936 the following:
"...At the trial of the Kirov murder case, I, Evdokimov, with Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bakayev, Gertik, and others, deceived the Government authorities and the Court by concealing that THE MURDER OF KIROV WAS PREPARED AND CARRIED OUT BY US, THE MEMBERS OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC."
"THE MURDER OF KIROV WAS COMMITTED BY THE LENINGRAD TERRORIST CENTER ON THE DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS OF THE UNITED CENTER OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC." (Vol. 36, p. 6)
"...IN 1934, ZINOVIEV, ACTING IN THE NAME OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE ORGANIZATION, GAVE BAKAYEV DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS TO ORGANIZE THE MURDER OF KIROV."
IN ADDITION TO ZINOVIEV THOSE TAKING PART IN THE DECISION TO MURDER KIROV, INCLUDED KAMENEV, MYSELF, BAKAYEV, AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TROTSKYITES IN THE PERSONS OF MRACHKOVSKY AND TER-VAGANYAN. In order to prepare the murder, Bakayev went to Leningrad in the autumn of 1934 and there established contact with the active members of our organization:... The Leningrad center had an active group of terrorists, directly engaged in preparations for the murder of Kirov." (Vol. 36, p. 6)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 30-31
Evdokimov stated the following:
"I LEARNED FROM BAKAYEV THAT IN THE AUTUMN OF 1934, HE, BAKAYEV, together with one Trotskyite terrorist, whose name I do not know, WENT TO LENINGRAD TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE LENINGRAD TERRORIST CENTER AND TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV.
While in Leningrad, Bakayev and the above-mentioned Trotskyite terrorist met Nikolayev and arranged with him that he would assassinate Kirov." (Vol. 36, pp. 7-8)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 33-34
VYSHINSKY: YOU WERE A MEMBER OF THE CENTER?
EVDOKIMOV: YES, I WAS.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CENTER WAS PREPARING ASSASSINATIONS OF THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT?
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU PERSONALLY APPROVE OF THE PREPARATION OF THESE ASSASSINATIONS?
EVDOKIMOV: I AGREED TO THEM.
VYSHINSKY: YOU TOOK PART IN AND CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO PROCEED BY THE PATH OF ASSASSINATION?
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DO YOU ADMIT THAT THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE KIROV WAS PREPARED WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE?
EVDOKIMOV: YES, I ADMIT THAT.
VYSHINSKY: AT THE TRIAL IN LENINGRAD, ON JAN. 15-16, 1935, WHEN FACING THE COURT AS YOU DO NOW, YOU EMPHATICALLY ASSERTED THAT YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT MURDER. AT THAT TIME YOU TOLD UNTRUTHS?
EVDOKIMOV: YES, I DECEIVED THE COURT.
VYSHINSKY: YOU THOUGHT YOU'D DECEIVED THE COURT. AS A MATTER OF FACT THE DECEPTION DID NOT WORK. NOW IT IS EXPOSED.
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 46-47
...THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT TERRORISM CAME FROM TROTSKY. "SMIRNOV AND I," SAYS EVDOKIMOV, "DISCUSSED THIS QUESTION SEVERAL TIMES. In the summer of 1932, a conference was held in the railway car of Mrachkovsky who had just arrived in Moscow. I Mrachkovsky, Smirnov, and Ter-Vaganyan were present at this conference. We talked of terrorism, SMIRNOV, PARTICULARLY, WAS IN FAVOR OF TERRORISM."
EVDOKIMOV:…Soon after this conversation in Mrachkovsky's car a conference took place in the summer Villa at Ilyinskoye, where Kamenev and Zinoviev lived at that time. At this conference, at which Karev, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Yevdokimov, and Bakayev were present, it was decided to form a Moscow center and a Leningrad center for the purpose of combining the terrorist groups. And this decision was subsequently put into effect. At this same conference at Ilyinskoye in 1932, there was outright talk about the necessity of terrorism, in the first place against Stalin and Kirov. THE ORGANIZATION OF THESE TERRORISTIC ACTS WAS, ON ZINOVIEV'S PROPOSAL, ENTRUSTED TO BAKAYEV.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 47
Continuing, Evdokimov states with reference to the facts concerning the preparations for the assassination of Kirov, that in the summer of 1934 a conference was held in Kamenev's apartment in Moscow at which Kamenev, Zinoviev, Yevdokimov, Sokolnikov, Ter-Vaganyan, Reingold, and Bakayev were present. AT THIS CONFERENCE IT WAS DECIDED TO EXPEDITE THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV.
VYSHINSKY: SO IT WAS PUT AS STRAIGHT AS THAT: "TO EXPEDITE THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV"?
EVDOKIMOV: YES, IT WAS PUT LIKE THAT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 48
VYSHINSKY: WAS THE MURDER OF KIROV PREPARED BY THE CENTER?
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: YOU PERSONALLY TOOK PART IN THESE PREPARATIONS?
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV PARTICIPATE WITH YOU IN THE PREPARATIONS?
EVDOKIMOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: On the instructions of the center, Bakayev went to Leningrad to check up on the progress made in the preparations, did he not?
EVDOKIMOV: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 49
WORDS FROM SMIRNOV’S TESTIMONY
SAID SEDOV HELD ONLY FORCE COULD BRING CHANGE IN THE SOVIET GOVT;
SAYS A NOTE TO HIM FROM TROTSKY HELD THE SAME VIEW;
SAYS TROTSKY’S VIEWS WERE THE BASIS OF THE TERROR PROGRAM; SAYS HE GOT ORDERS FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN;
ADMITS RECEIVING TERRORIST ORDERS FROM TROTSKY;
SAFONOVA WAS SMIRNOV’S WIFE BUT SHE TESTIFIED AGAINST HIM; ADMITS HE WAS IN THE CENTER ORGANIZED FOR TERRORISM;
SAYS THE CENTER DID NOT EXIST BUT OTHERS SAY HE IS LYING; ADMITS GETTING FRESH ORDERS FROM TROTSKY TO USE TERROR; ADMITS HE UNDERSTOOD TERROR TO BE AGAINST STALIN FIRST; ADMITS HE HAD COMMUNICATION WITH TROTSKY;
SAYS HE WAS A MESSENGER FOR TROTSKY BUT DID NOT AGREE WITH THE TACTICS AND LEFT THE BLOC WHICH OTHERS SAY IS A LIE;
The accused Smirnov, during examination on August 5, 1936, also admitted that he had met Sedov, Trotsky's son, while he was in Berlin as far back as 1931.
Smirnov stated:
"...In the course of our conversation, SEDOV, ANALYZING THE SITUATION IN THE SOVIET UNION, EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT UNDER THE PRESENT CONDITIONS ONLY THE REMOVAL BY FORCE OF THE LEADING PERSONS IN THE CPSU AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT COULD BRING ABOUT A CHANGE in the general situation in the country...."
"...I admit that the attitude which regarded terrorism as the only way of changing the situation in the Soviet Union was known to me from a conversation with Sedov in Berlin in 1931 as his own personal position. I ADMIT THAT THIS LINE ON TERRORISM WAS CONFIRMED BY L. TROTSKY IN 1932 IN HIS PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS CONVEYED TO ME THROUGH GAVEN."
"I admit that Ter-Vaganian, who with my knowledge conducted negotiations with the Leftists and Zinovievites in the name of the Trotskyite group, formed in 1932 a bloc with Kamenev, Zinoviev, and the Lominadze group for joint struggle against the CPSU and the Soviet Government, and that Leon Trotsky's instructions regarding terror against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet state were made the basis of this bloc." (Vol. 29, pp. 93, 104.)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 17
VYSHINSKY: YOU, SMIRNOV, CONFIRM BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THAT IN THE 1932 YOU RECEIVED FROM GAVEN THE DIRECTION FROM TROTSKY TO COMMIT ACTS OF TERRORISM?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: AGAINST WHOM?
SMIRNOV: AGAINST THE LEADERS.
VYSHINSKY: AGAINST WHICH?
SMIRNOV: STALIN AND OTHERS.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 42
Questioned by Comrade Vyshinsky whether he confirms Mrachkovsky's testimony, Smirnov asserts that Mrachkovsky's statements do not conform with the facts.
VYSHINSKY: You were a member of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center. That you admit. Here Mrachkovsky is not sinning against truth. That is the first point. SECONDLY, THE CENTER WAS ORGANIZED ON THE BASIS OF TERRORISM AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT. IS THAT RIGHT?
SMIRNOV: THAT IS RIGHT.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU RECEIVE FROM TROTSKY INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM AS A MEANS OF STRUGGLE?
SMIRNOV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 44
Smirnov denies that he had passed on to Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, and Safonova Trotsky's instructions to adopt terrorism. He also denies that, when Mrachkovsky returned after his talk with Stalin, he spoke of the necessity of assassinating Stalin. However, replies to questions put by Comrade Vyshinsky to Ter-Vaganyan, Safonova, and Mrachkovsky established that this actually did take place.
VYSHINSKY: WHAT WERE YOUR RELATIONS WITH SAFONOVA?
SMIRNOV: GOOD.
VYSHINSKY: And more?
SMIRNOV: We were intimately related?
VYSHINSKY: YOU WERE HUSBAND AND WIFE?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: NO PERSONAL GRUDGES BETWEEN YOU?
SMIRNOV: NO.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 78
VYSHINSKY: WAS THE CENTER ORGANIZED ON THE BASIS OF TERRORISM?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: WERE YOU A MEMBER OF THAT CENTER?
SMIRNOV: YES, I WAS.
VYSHINSKY: Consequently, those instructions were meant for you too?
SMIRNOV: Yes, they were communicated to me.
VYSHINSKY: They were not only communicated through you, but were also instructions for you?
SMIRNOV: They were forwarded as instructions.
VYSHINSKY: Did you accept them?
SMIRNOV: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 80-81
VYSHINSKY: So when did you leave the center?
SMIRNOV: I did not intend to resign; there was nothing to resign from.
VYSHINSKY: Did the center exist?
SMIRNOV: What sort of a center...
VYSHINSKY: Mrachkovsky, did this center exist?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Zinoviev, did this center exist?
ZINOVIEV: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Evdokimov, did the center exist?
EVDOKIMOV: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Bakayev, did the center exist?
BAKAYEV: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: How, then, Smirnov, can you take the liberty to maintain that no center existed?
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 81
VYSHINSKY: IT CAN BE CONSIDERED AS ESTABLISHED THAT IN 1932 YOU RECEIVED FRESH INSTRUCTIONS FROM TROTSKY THROUGH GAVEN?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID THESE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAIN DIRECT REFERENCE TO THE NECESSITY OF EMBARKING ON A TERRORISTIC STRUGGLE AGAINST THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY?
SMIRNOV: QUITE TRUE.
VYSHINSKY: In the first place, against whom?
SMIRNOV: No names were mentioned there.
VYSHINSKY: BUT YOU UNDERSTOOD THAT THE TERRORISTIC STRUGGLE WAS TO BEGIN FIRST AGAINST COMRADE STALIN?
SMIRNOV: YES, I UNDERSTOOD IT TO MEAN THAT.
VYSHINSKY: And that is what you communicated to your colleagues?
SMIRNOV: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 82
VYSHINSKY: Did you have any communication with Trotsky - yes or no?
SMIRNOV: I say that I wrote a letter to Trotsky and received a reply from him.
VYSHINSKY: Is that communication or not?
SMIRNOV: It is.
VYSHINSKY: SO THERE WAS COMMUNICATION?
SMIRNOV: THERE WAS.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 84
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED ZINOVIEV, YOU SAID THAT SMIRNOV DISCUSSED TERRORISM WITH YOU MORE THAN ONCE, DISCUSSED THE NECESSITY TO EXPEDITE TERRORISTIC ACTS?
ZINOVIEV: CORRECT.
VYSHINSKY: SO WHAT MRACHKOVSKY SAYS ABOUT THE TERRORIST GROUP IS TRUE?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: Accused Smirnov, do think that Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, and Evdokimov are telling untruths?
SMIRNOV: (Does not answer)
VYSHINSKY: What then do you admit?
SMIRNOV: I admit that I belonged to the underground Trotskyite organization, joined in the bloc, joined the center of this bloc, met Sedov in Berlin in 1931, listened to his opinion on terrorism and passed this opinion on to Moscow. I admit that I received Trotsky's instructions on terrorism from Gaven and, although not in agreement with them, I communicated them to the Zinovievites through Ter-Vaganyan.
VYSHINSKY: And, while not in agreement, you remained a member of the bloc and worked in the bloc?
SMIRNOV: I did not resign officially from the bloc, but actually I did no work.
VYSHINSKY: So when you communicated the instructions, you were doing no work?
SMIRNOV: (Does not answer)
VYSHINSKY: What do you think, when an organizer communicates instructions, is that work?
SMIRNOV: Of course.
VYSHINSKY: YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE BLOC?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: AND YOU ADMIT THAT THE BLOC STOOD ON THE POSITION OF TERRORISM?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: YOU ALSO ADMIT THAT IT STOOD ON THIS POSITION IN CONNECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: AND IT WAS YOU WHO RECEIVED THESE INSTRUCTIONS?
SMIRNOV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: CONSEQUENTLY, IT WAS YOU WHO GOT THE BLOC TO ADOPT THE POSITION OF TERRORISM?
SMIRNOV: I PASSED ON THE INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM.... I received these instructions, communicated them to the Trotskyites and Zinovievites, and they formed the center. WHILE NOT IN AGREEMENT, I DID NOT RESIGN FROM THE BLOC OFFICIALLY, BUT ACTUALLY I WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BLOC.
VYSHINSKY: Ter-Vaganyan, did Smirnov leave the bloc?
TER-VAGANYAN: No.
VYSHINSKY: Mrachkovsky, did Smirnov leave the bloc?
MRACHKOVSKY: No....
VYSHINSKY: Evdokimov, did you hear of Smirnov leaving the bloc?
EVDOKIMOV: No, the very opposite; he remained a member of the center and did active work in it.
VYSHINSKY: Did he share the terroristic views?
EVDOKIMOV: Yes, he shared them.
VYSHINSKY: Accused Kamenev, what do you know about Smirnov's leaving the bloc?
KAMENEV: I confirm that Smirnov was a member of the bloc all the time.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 84-86
WORDS FROM TER-VAGANYAN’S TESTIMONY
SAYS SEDOV RELAYED SHARP STRUGGLE METHODS AGAINST THE PARTY FROM TROTSKY TO SMIRNOV;
AGREED WITH MRACHKOVSKI THAT THE BLOC WAS FORMED TO USE TERRORIST METHODS;
ADMITS TAKING PARTY IN TERRORISTIC WORK;
SAYS MIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, ZINOVIEV, AND KAMENEV GUIDED THE ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING OF THE TERRORISTS;
SAYS SMIRNOV AND ALL TROTS AROUND HIM WERE FOCUSED ON TERRORISM;
ADMITS HE TOLD FRIEDLAND IN 1932 THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO ADOPT VIOLENT TERRORISTIC FORMS OF STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PARTY
The accused Ter-Vaganyan confirmed this evidence of the accused Smirnov, admitting his participation in the united center, as well as the participation in this center of the accused Smirnov, Mrachkovski, Zinoviev, and Kamenev.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 17
The accused Ter-Vaganyan admitted that:
"The Trotskyite organization headed by Smirnov, in its counter-revolutionary activities, particularly fostered hatred and animosity against the leaders of the CPSU.... It was on this hatred that the bloc was founded...." (Via him 38, p. 11)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 17
The accused Ter-Vaganyan also admitted that as far back as 1931:
"SEDOV RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SMIRNOV AND THE UNDERGROUND TROTSKYITES IN THE USSR TO ADOPT THE MOST ACTIVE AND SHARP METHODS OF STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PARTY AND ITS LEADERSHIP." (Vol. 38, p. 27)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 17-18
Confirming the evidence of the accused Mrachkovski on this point, the accused Ter-Vaganyan testified:
"MRACHKOVSKI IS RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS THAT THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC ITSELF WAS REALLY ORGANIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE RECOGNITION THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO FIGHT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT BY TERRORISTIC METHODS." (Volume 38, p. 32)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 18
Thus, there is no doubt left that the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc had turned into a group of unprincipled, political adventurers and assassins striving at only one thing, namely, to make their way to power even through terrorism.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967, p. 18
...the accused Ter-Vaganyan admits that he was one of the organizers of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center, and also that the center was organized on the basis of Trotsky's instructions on terrorism.
VYSHINSKY: You admit that you personally also took part in preparing certain terroristic acts?
TER-VAGANYAN: I did not take part in preparing terroristic acts, but I did take part in the work of the center.
VYSHINSKY: YOU TOOK PART IN TERRORISTIC WORK?
TER-VAGANYAN: ALL THE WORK WAS TERRORISTIC.
VYSHINSKY: DURING YOUR EXAMINATION ON AUG. 14 YOU SAID: "OF THE PERSONS BELONGING TO THE UNITED TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE CENTER,...SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, ZINOVIEV, AND KAMENEV GUIDED THE PRACTICAL ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING OF THE TERRORIST GROUP" - DO YOU CONFIRM THAT?
TER-VAGANYAN: YES.
VYSHINSKY: IN 1931 WAS SMIRNOV DISPOSED TOWARDS VIOLENT METHODS OF STRUGGLE?
TER-VAGANYAN: YES, AS WERE ALL THE TROTSKYITES SURROUNDING SMIRNOV.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 108-109
Continuing his testimony, Ter-Vaganyan,...confirms the testimony of the witness Safonova to the effect that she, Safonova, had informed Ter-Vaganyan about Smirnov's journey abroad and his meeting with Sedov.
TER-VAGANYAN: I must say that there was no talk at all about these instructions regarding terrorism being the personal opinion of Sedov. Had Safonova told me that this was Sedov's personal opinion, she and I would have laughed at it as a joke. When Smirnov returned, he repeated his story to me and Safonova.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 109
Continuing his testimony, Ter-Vaganyan says that at that period the Trotskyites began negotiations for union with the Zinovievites and the "Leftists," and that the terroristic stand was perfectly clear.
VYSHINSKY: When was that?
TER-VAGANYAN: After Smirnov came back from Berlin.
VYSHINSKY: At that period was the terroristic stand clear?
TER-VAGANYAN: Yes, it was clear, because the instructions had already been brought....
IN 1932 I MET FRIEDLAND AND TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOW NECESSARY TO ADOPT VIOLENT FORMS OF STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PARTY. IN REPLY TO HIS QUESTION AS TO THE MEANING OF VIOLENT FORMS OF STRUGGLE, I SAID: YOU ARE NOT A CHILD - VIOLENT FORMS OF STRUGGLE ARE TERRORISTIC FORMS OF STRUGGLE. THAT IS CLEAR.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 110-111
WORDS FROM PICKEL’S TESTIMONY
SAYS REINGOLD TOLD HIM THE BLOC DECIDED TO BEHEAD THE SOVIET LEADERSHIP TO GAIN POWER
Concerning terrorism as the sole basis on which the union of the Trotskyites and Zinovievites took place in 1932, evidence was given at the primary investigation also by the accused Pickel. During the examination on July 23rd, Pickel testified:
"...ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION CONVEYED TO US BY REINGOLD IN THE BEGINNING OF 1934, THE ALL-UNION UNITED COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY CENTER OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC DECIDED BY THE EFFORTS OF THE TROTSKYITES AND ZINOVIEVITES TO STRIKE A CRUSHING BLOW AT THE CPSU BY COMMITTING A NUMBER OF TERRORISTIC ACTS WITH THE AIM OF BEHEADING THE LEADERSHIP AND SEIZING POWER."
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 18
"The all-Union center of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc then bluntly raised the question of the necessity of 'surgical intervention' (meaning terrorism) in order to bring about a decisive change in the situation in the country. For this purpose the center gave instructions to start selecting people who nursed particularly bitter feelings against the Party leadership, who had very strong will power and were capable of carrying out terroristic attempts on the lives of the leaders of the CPSU." (Vol. 15, p. 65)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 18
WORDS FROM MRACHKOVSKI’S TESTIMONY
SAYS TROTS DECIDED ON TERRORISM LONG BEFORE UNITING WITH ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV;
SAYS IN 1931 TROTSKY TOLD SMIRNOV TO TELL HIM TO KILL STALIN, VOROSHILOV AND KAGANOVICH;
SAYS TROTSKY AGREED TO UNITE WITH THE ZINOVIEV AND LOMINADZE GROUPS PROVIDED THEY AGREED TO KILL STALIN FIRST; DREITZER TOLD HIM HE WAS ORGANIZING THE ASSASSINATION OF VOROSHILOV;
SAYS SMIRNOV BROUGHT BACK WORDS FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN;
SAYS SMIRNOV SAID: GO TO REINGOLD AND AGREE WITH HIM TO UNITE OUR TERRORIST FORCES TO KILL STALIN, VOROSHILOV, AND KAGANOVICH;
SAYS HE LEARNED ABOUT SEDOV'S LINE ON TERRORISM FROM SMIRNOV;
SAYS SMIRNOV IS LYING WHEN HE SAYS HE WAS MERELY GIVING INFORMATON AND NOT INSTRUCTIONS;
SAYS TROTSKY TOLD SEDOV TO RELAY A SHARPER LINE;
SAYS SMIRNOV IS LYING WHEN HE CLAIMS HE WAS MERELY ACTING AS A POSTMAN;
SAYS SMIRNOV IS LYING WHEN HE SAYS HE DID NOT GIVE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN HE RETURNED FROM ABROAD;
During examination on July 20th, 1936 the accused Mrachkovski testified:
"...WE TROTSKYITES ADOPTED THE POLICY OF TERRORISM LONG BEFORE THE BLOC WITH ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV WAS FORMED. IN 1931, WHEN SMIRNOV WAS IN BERLIN AND ESTABLISHED CONTACT WITH TROTSKY, INSTRUCTIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE LATTER TO PROCEED TO THE ORGANIZATION OF ACTION GROUPS OF TROTSKYITES." (Vol. 18, pp. 40-41)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 21
This same Mrachkovski stated:
"...ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF TROTSKY RECEIVED IN 1931 BY SMIRNOV, WE WERE TO KILL STALIN, VOROSHILOV, AND KAGANOVICH. STALIN WAS TO BE KILLED FIRST." (Vol. 18, p. 42)
"...In the middle of 1932, Smirnov put before our leading trio the question of the necessity of uniting our organization with the Zinoviev-Kamenev and Shatskin-Lominadze groups.
...It was then decided to consult Trotsky on this question and to obtain his directions. TROTSKY REPLIED, AGREEING TO THE FORMATION OF A BLOC ON THE CONDITION THAT THE GROUPS UNITING IN THE BLOC WOULD AGREE TO THE NECESSITY OF REMOVING BY VIOLENCE THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU AND STALIN IN THE FIRST PLACE." (Vol. 18, pp. 44-45)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 21
In regard to the preparations for the assassination of Voroshilov, the accused Mrachkovsky, one of the members of the united center testified:
"In the middle of 1934, DREITZER REPORTED TO ME THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY HE WAS ORGANIZING THE ASSASSINATION OF VOROSHILOV, for which purpose Schmidt, who was a commander in the army and under no suspicion in the Party, was to be prepared. It was presumed that he would kill Voroshilov either while reporting to him on service matters, or doing the next maneuvers at which Voroshilov would be present." (Vol. 18, p. 49)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 36
Mrachkovsky goes on to say that already in 1931 this Trotskyite group openly discussed the question of terrorism. Smirnov, who had visited Berlin, brought back instructions from Trotsky, which he received through Trotsky's son, Sedov, to the following effect: "Until we put Stalin out of the way, we shall not be able to come back to power."
VYSHINSKY: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE EXPRESSION: "UNTIL WE PUT STALIN OUT OF THE WAY"?
MRACHKOVSKY: UNTIL WE KILL STALIN....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 41
The terrorist bloc of the Trotskyites and the Zinovievites was formed at the end of 1932. Mrachkovsky related that before his departure from Moscow in 1932, SMIRNOV HAD ASKED HIM TO SEE REINGOLD, WHO WAS LEADING THE MOSCOW TERRORIST GROUP, AND TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH HIM ABOUT UNITING ALL FORCES.
VYSHINSKY: ON WHAT BASIS?
MRACHKOVSKY: ON THE BASIS OF ORGANIZING THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN.
VYSHINSKY: SMIRNOV SAID: GO TO REINGOLD AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH HIM ABOUT...
MRACHKOVSKY:...UNITING OUR TERRORIST FORCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSASSINATING STALIN, VOROSHILOV, AND KAGANOVICH.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 42-43
Smirnov denies Mrachkovsky's testimony to the effect that he, Smirnov, had conveyed Trotsky's instructions about terrorism to the Moscow Trotskyite center.
VYSHINSKY: I ask leave to read Vol. 29, p. 115, of the record of the examination of Smirnov on Aug. 13th...according to which Smirnov said that in 1931 Sedov gave terroristic directions. Here is Smirnov's testimony: "On my return to Moscow I reported this to Safonova and Mrachkovsky."
Well, now, does this correspond to what you said five minutes ago?
SMIRNOV: (Remains silent)
VYSHINSKY (to Mrachkovsky): MRACHKOVSKY, DID YOU LEARN ABOUT SEDOV'S LINE ON TERRORISM FROM SMIRNOV?
MRACHKOVSKY: YES.
VYSHINSKY: After Smirnov's return from Berlin did you meet him?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Did you speak to him?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Together with Safonova?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: And you knew about these directions of Sedov's?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes, I so affirm.
VYSHINSKY: Smirnov, did you hear that?
SMIRNOV: (Remains silent)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 45-46
I. N. Smirnov was one of the leaders of the Trotskyite organization since its formation, the closest friend of Trotsky and the actual organizer and leader of the underground Trotskyite counter-revolutionary activities in the USSR, who maintained personal connections with Trotsky and the Trotskyite organizations abroad.
Smirnov, Trotsky's deputy in the USSR, as the accused have defined him, and the leader of the Trotskyite center, denies his own direct part in the terroristic activities and only partly admits his crimes.
In 1931 Smirnov went abroad on an official business trip. In Berlin he met Sedov, Trotsky's son and agent. Smirnov claims that this was an "accidental" meeting.... Sedov told Smirnov that it was necessary to change the old methods of struggle against the Party, and that the time had arrived to adopt terroristic methods of struggle. Smirnov tries to make it appear that this was Sedov's own opinion with which he, allegedly did not agree.... On his return to Moscow, Smirnov immediately informed his associates of his conversation with Sedov regarding terrorism.
VYSHINSKY: Although you were not in agreement with Sedov, you nevertheless thought it necessary to inform your underground organization about this terroristic line?
SMIRNOV: Yes, I did not anticipate that they would take this information as Trotsky's directions.
VYSHINSKY (TO MRACHKOVSKY): WHEN SMIRNOV TOLD YOU ABOUT HIS CONVERSATION WITH SEDOV, YOU UNDERSTOOD THE CONTENTS OF THE CONVERSATION TO BE NOT MERE INFORMATION BUT INSTRUCTIONS?
MRACHKOVSKY: YES.
VYSHINSKY: What did those instructions say?
MRACHKOVSKY: They said that the instructions which had existed up to that time, that is up to 1931, had become obsolete. TROTSKY PROPOSED THAT ANOTHER METHOD, A SHARPER METHOD, BE ADOPTED.
VYSHINSKY: WHO PROPOSED, SEDOV OR TROTSKY?
MRACHKOVSKY: TROTSKY.
VYSHINSKY: Did Smirnov speak about Trotsky?
MRACHKOVSKY: Yes, he spoke about Trotsky, since Sedov was no authority either for him or for us.
VYSHINSKY: Accused Smirnov, is it true that Sedov was not an authority for you?
SMIRNOV: No, Sedov was not an authority for me.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 79-80
Smirnov once again refers to the absence of meetings of the center, but the testimony of Zinoviev, Ter-Vaganyan, and Mrachkovsky again proves him to be lying....
MRACHKOVSKY: Smirnov is trying to pass as a simple village postman, but we regarded Smirnov as Trotsky's deputy.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 81-82
VYSHINSKY: Did you give instructions to the group--Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, and Evdokimov?
SMIRNOV: No, I did not.
VYSHINSKY (to Mrachkovsky): MRACHKOVSKY, DID SMIRNOV GIVE YOU SUCH INSTRUCTIONS?
MRACHKOVSKY: YES. INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN IN THE BEGINNING OF 1931 ON HIS RETURN FROM ABROAD.
VYSHINSKY: What did he say to you?
MRACHKOVSKY: That it was necessary to begin the selection of people whom we knew well, that a serious task was put before us, that the people to be selected must be resolute.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 84
WORDS FROM DREITZER’S TESTIMONY
SAID TROTSKY GAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO KILL STALIN AND VOROSHILOV; ADMITS HE RECRUITED 2 MEN TO KILL VOROSHILOV
This evidence of Mrachkovsky was fully confirmed by the accused Dreitzer who during examination testified:
"...ON THE DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS OF TROTSKY, OUR ALL-UNION CENTER OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC WAS TO PREPARE AND CARRY OUT THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN AND VOROSHILOV FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEHEADING THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CPSU AND THE RED ARMY." (Vol. 10, p. 99)
In 1934, the accused Dreitzer personally received written instructions from Trotsky, through Trotsky's son, Sedov, to prepare and carry out a terroristic act against Comrade Stalin. This letter was written personally by Trotsky.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 22
The accused Dreitzer,...on July 31, testified on this point:
"FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING THE TERRORISTIC ACT I RECRUITED ESTERMAN AND GAYEVSKY, AND IN 1935 SCHMIDT AND KUZMICHEV. THE LATTER TWO UNDERTOOK TO KILL VOROSHILOV." (Vol. 10, p. 195)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 36
TROTSKY TOOK OVER THE GROUP PLANNING TO KILL SOVIET LEADERS & HE SENT AGENTS
The investigation has established that after the smash-up of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center in connection with the murder of Comrade Kirov, Trotsky himself assumed the leadership of terroristic activities in the USSR and began strongly to press forward the organization of the assassinations of Comrade's Stalin and Voroshilov. For this purpose he took steps to restore the terroristic groups in the USSR and to stimulate their activity by sending a number of his tried agents to the USSR from abroad and also by using for this purpose persons belonging to underground Trotskyite organizations in the USSR who went abroad ostensibly on official business.
The investigation has established that at various times the following accused persons were sent from Berlin to Moscow as such agents: V. Olberg, Berman-Yurin, Fritz David, M. Lurye, N Lurye, and several others who received directly from Trotsky and his son Sedov instructions to organize at all costs the assassinations of Comrade's Stalin, Voroshilov, Kaganovich, and other leaders of the Party....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 23
WORDS FROM OLBERG’S TESTIMONY
SAYS SEDOV SHOWED A LETTER FROM TROTSKY PROPOSING AGENTS BE SENT TO KILL STALIN;
SEDOV TOLD ME TO CONCEAL ALL CONNECTION OF TROTSKY WITH THE PLOT TO KILL;
GOT A HONDURAN PASSPORT WITH THE GESTAPO’S HELP;
WORKING WITH THE GESTAPO WAS STANDARD TROTSKYITE PROCEDURE;
PAUL, MY BROTHER, TESTIFIES THAT GERMAN AGENTS SAID THEY WOULD GIVE REFUGE TO ALL TERRORISTS;
OLBERG ADMITS HE WAS A MEMBER OF A GERMAN TROT GROUP & MET SEDOV FREQUENTLY;
SAYS HE GOT A NOTE FROM TROTSKY ABOUT THE NEED TO KILL STALIN;
SAYS HE WORKED WITH THE GESTAPO UNDER TROTSKY’S ORDERS; SAYS TROTSKY SANCTIONED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TROTS AND THE GESTAPO;
SAYS A GESTAPO AGENT VOLUNTEERED TO HELP HIM KILL STALIN; SAYS HIS BROTHER WORKED WITH THE GESTAPO;
SAYS SEDOV TOLD HIM HE WAS TO DENY ANY CONNECTION WITH TROTSKY IF CAPTURED; ADMITS BEING CONNECTED WITH TROTSKY THROUGH SEDOV AND BEING SENT TO KILL STALIN AND WORKING WITH THE GESTAPO TO SUCCEED;
SAYS HE DID NOT KILL STALIN BECAUSE HE WAS ARRESTED;
SAYS HE GOT A LETTER FROM TROTSKY THROUGH A MESSENGER THAT HE WAS TO KILL STALIN ON MAY 1, 1936;
During examination on Feb. 21 of this year, V. OLBERG TESTIFIED THAT DURING ONE OF HIS MEETINGS WITH TROTSKY'S SON, SEDOV, THE LATTER SHOWED HIM A LETTER FROM TROTSKY IN WHICH TROTSKY PROPOSED THAT OLBERG BE SENT TO THE SOVIET UNION WITH A GROUP OF GERMAN TROTSKYITES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING AND ORGANIZING THE MURDER OF STALIN.
"...In this letter, "Olberg goes on to say, "Trotsky wrote to Sedov stating that he fully agreed with his proposal that I be sent to the Soviet Union. Trotsky wrote that he considered me to be an absolutely suitable person who could be fully relied upon in so perilous a matter."
To this Olberg added:
"SEDOV SAID TO ME THAT IT WAS MY DUTY TO CONCEAL BY EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS TROTSKY'S ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION OF A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN, AND THAT EVEN IF I WERE ARRESTED IN CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH MY ROLE OF A TERRORIST WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY OBVIOUS, I WAS TO CONCEAL THE FACT THAT I WAS A TROTSKYITE AND WAS COMMITTING THE TERRORISTIC ACT ON TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTIONS." (Vol. 21, pp. 77-78)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 23-24
As the investigation has established, Olberg ARRIVED IN THE USSR WITH THE PASSPORT OF A CITIZEN OF HONDURAS OBTAINED WITH THE AID OF THE GERMAN SECRET POLICE (GESTAPO).
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 24
On this point Olberg, during examination in the office of the State Attorney of the USSR, testified:
"...Sedov promised to help me to obtain a passport to return to the USSR once more. But I succeeded in obtaining a passport with the help of my younger brother, Paul Olberg. Thanks to my connections with the German police and their agent in Prague, I, by means of a bribe, obtained the passport of a citizen of Honduras. The money for the passport - 13,000 Czechoslovakian kronen - I obtained from Sedov, or rather, from the Trotskyite organization on Sedov's instructions." (Vol. 21, p. 262)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 24
Reexamined on the question of his connection with the Gestapo, Olberg on July 31 of this year testified:
"Confirming also my testimony of May 9 of this year, I EMPHASIZE THAT MY CONNECTION WITH THE GESTAPO WAS NOT AT ALL AN EXCEPTION, OF WHICH ONE COULD SPEAK AS OF THE FALL OF AN INDIVIDUAL TROTSKYITE. It was the line of the Trotskyites in conformity with the instructions of Trotsky given through Sedov. The connection with the Gestapo followed the line of organizing terrorism in the USSR against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet government."
"...Several times I met a prominent official of the Gestapo, whose name was not mentioned to me, and I did not consider it convenient to inquire. With this official I discussed my first journey to Moscow and my plans concerning the preparation of a terroristic act. This official knew my brother as an agent of the Gestapo to whom he advised me to apply for help whenever necessary." (Vol. 21, pp. 263-264)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 25
Paul Olberg also confirmed the fact that his brother's (V. Olberg) journey to the USSR was organized with terroristic purposes. During examination on May 16 this year, Paul Olberg testified:
"... V. OLBERG (MY BROTHER) INFORMED ME THAT AN OFFICIAL OF THE GERMAN SECRET POLICE TOLD HIM THAT ALL PERSONS TAKING PART IN PREPARING AND COMMITTING TERRORISTIC ACTS WOULD BE GIVEN REFUGE IN GERMANY." (Vol. 24, p. 231)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 25
Olberg makes a detailed statement to the effect that he was a member of the German Trotskyite organization since 1927-28. His contact with Trotsky and Sedov, Trotsky's son, began in 1930....
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU MEET SEDOV FREQUENTLY?
OLBERG: FROM MAY 1931 TO THE END OF 1932 WE MET NEARLY EVERY WEEK AND SOMETIMES TWICE A WEEK.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 86-87
Olberg then proceeds to relate the events preceding his first visit to the Soviet Union.
OLBERG: The first time Sedov spoke to me about my journey was after Trotsky's message in connection with Trotsky's being deprived of the citizenship of the USSR. IN THE MESSAGE TROTSKY DEVELOPED THE IDEA THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO ASSASSINATE STALIN. THIS IDEA WAS EXPRESSED IN THE FOLLOWING WORDS; "STALIN MUST BE REMOVED."
Sedov showed me the typewritten text of this message and said: "Well, now you see, it cannot be expressed in a clearer away. It is a diplomatic wording....
Before my departure for the Soviet Union, I intended to go to Copenhagen with Sedov to see Trotsky. Our trip did not materialize, but Suzanna, Sedov's wife, went there. On her return she brought a letter from Trotsky addressed to Sedov, in which Trotsky agreed to my going to the USSR and expressed the hope that I would succeed in carrying out the mission entrusted to me. Sedov showed me the letter.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 87
VYSHINSKY: What do you know about Friedman?
OLBERG: Friedman was a member of the Berlin Trotskyite organization, who was also sent to the Soviet Union.
VYSHINSKY: Are you aware of the fact that Friedman was connected with the German police?
OLBERG: I heard about that.
VYSHINSKY: Connection between the German Trotskyites and the German police - was that systematic?
OLBERG: Yes, it was systematic and it was done with Trotsky's consent.
VYSHINSKY: How do you know that it was done with Trotsky's knowledge and consent?
OLBERG: One of these lines of connection was maintained by myself. MY CONNECTION WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE SANCTION OF TROTSKY.
VYSHINSKY: YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH WHOM?
OLBERG: WITH THE FASCIST SECRET POLICE.
VYSHINSKY: SO IT CAN BE SAID THAT YOU YOURSELF ADMIT CONNECTION WITH THE GESTAPO?
OLBERG: I DO NOT DENY THIS. IN 1933 THERE BEGAN ORGANIZED SYSTEMATIC CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GERMAN TROTSKYITES AND THE GERMAN FASCIST POLICE.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 87-88
VYSHINSKY: Who is Tukalevsky?
OLBERG: Tukalevsky is the director of the Slavonic Library of the ministry of foreign affairs in Prague. I learned from my brother that he was an agent of the fascist secret police. Tukalevsky had been informed that I would visit him, and he told me that he would try to get the necessary documents [to re-enter the Soviet Union] for me.
I wrote a letter to Sedov in Paris telling him about the proposal made by the agent of the Gestapo, and asked him to inform me whether Trotsky would approve of an arrangement with such an agent. After some time I received a reply sanctioning my actions, that is to say, my understanding with Tukalevsky. Sedov wrote saying that the strictest secrecy was necessary, and that none of the other members of the Trotskyite organization was to be informed about this understanding....
I intended to travel to the USSR by way of Germany. Tukalevsky advised me to meet Slomovitz in Berlin. I had known her previously. Tukalevsky told me that the Berlin Trotskyites had concluded an agreement with the Gestapo and that if I met Slomovitz in Berlin I could obtain assistance and help from her if I needed it.
I visited Slomovitz in Berlin, and she told me the following: During my absence the Trotskyite cadres dwindled to a small group, and they were now confronted with a dilemma: either to dissolve or to come to an agreement with the German fascists. The basis for the agreement was the preparation and carrying out of acts of terrorism against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet government. TROTSKY HAD SANCTIONED THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BERLIN TROTSKYITES AND THE GESTAPO,...
IN SLOMOVITZ'S APARTMENT I MET AN EMPLOYEE OF THE GESTAPO, TO WHOM SHE INTRODUCED ME, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I NEEDED ASSISTANCE HE WOULD WILLINGLY HELP ME IN PREPARING TERRORISTIC ACTS, IN THE FIRST PLACE AGAINST STALIN.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 89-90
VYSHINSKY: DID YOUR BROTHER HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH THE GESTAPO?
OLBERG: HE WAS TUKALEVSKY'S AGENT.
VYSHINSKY: AN AGENT OF THE FASCIST POLICE?
OLBERG: YES.
VYSHINSKY: When did you have that talk with Sedov about not permitting the Trotskyite organization to be compromised?
OLBERG: That was at the time of my second journey to the USSR. He said that if I were arrested by the organs of state security of the USSR, I WAS UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES TO SAY THAT THIS TERRORISTIC ACT WAS CARRIED OUT ON TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTIONS, AND AT ALL EVENTS, I WAS TO TRY TO CONCEAL TROTSKY'S ROLE.
VYSHINSKY: Whom did he advise you to throw the name on for the organization of terroristic acts?
OLBERG: On the Whiteguards, on the Gestapo.
VYSHINSKY: CONSEQUENTLY, WE MAY PUT IT THIS WAY: YOU, OLBERG, WERE CONNECTED WITH TROTSKY THROUGH HIS SON SEDOV; YOU ARE SENT ON TROTSKY'S DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS, CONVEYED THROUGH SEDOV, TO THE USSR AS TROTSKY'S AGENT TO PREPARE AND CARRY OUT A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST COMRADE STALIN?
OLBERG: YES.
VYSHINSKY: IN ORDER TO INSURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS WORK, YOU WERE CONNECTED THROUGH YOUR BROTHER WITH THE GERMAN POLICE?
OLBERG: YES, THAT IS SO.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 91-92
The terroristic act was to have been committed in Moscow on May 1, 1936.
VYSHINSKY: WHAT PREVENTED YOU FROM CARRYING OUT THIS PLAN?
OLBERG: THE ARREST.
VYSHINSKY: Did you inform Sedov of the progress of the preparations for the terroristic act?
OLBERG: Yes, I wrote him several times at Slomovitz's address. AND I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HER STATING THAT OUR OLD FRIEND INSISTED THAT THE THESIS FOR THE DIPLOMA BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 1, 1936.
VYSHINSKY: THESIS FOR THE DIPLOMA - WHAT IS THAT?
OLBERG: THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN.
VYSHINSKY: AND THE OLD FRIEND - WHO IS THAT?
OLBERG: THE OLD FRIEND - THAT IS TROTSKY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 92
WORDS FROM BERMAN-YURIN’S TESTIMONY
ARRIVED IN THE SU ON A SPECIAL MISSION FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN;
TROTSKY DIRECTLY TOLD HIM IN COPENHAGEN THAT STALIN MUST BE KILLED;
THE KILLING MUST BE DONE PUBLICLY BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM;
SAYS HE GOT INSTRUCTIONS FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN;
CLEARLY REMEMBERS A NOV. 1932 MEETING WITH SEDOV FIRST POSING THE IDEA OF KILLING SOVIET LEADERS;
TROTSKY TOLD HIM STALIN MUST BE DESTROYED;
SAID TROTSKY CONTENDED MARX COULD NOT FORESEE THE NEED FOR TERRORISM AND TROTSKY SAID KAGANOVICH AND VOROSHILOV HAD TO BE KILLED TOO;
SAID TROTSKY ADOPTED A TOTALLY DEFEATIST STANCE IF THE SU WERE ATTACKED;
ADMITS HE CONSENTED TO THE KILLING AND WAS TOLD BY TROTSKY THAT THE KILLING SHOULD HAVE MAXIMUM EFFECT BEFORE A LARGE ASSEMBLY;
SAYS FRITZ-DAVID SAID A GERMAN CAME TO HIM FROM TROTSKY DEMANDING THEY SPEED UP THE KILLING OF STALIN;
SAYS BOTH TROTSKY AND SEDOV URGED HIM TO COMMIT A TERRORIST ACT;
Another Trotskyite agent, sent to the USSR with terroristic tasks, namely Berman-Yurin, testified:
"...My own role was that I ARRIVED IN THE USSR AS A PERSON PARTICULARLY TRUSTED BY TROTSKY WITH A SPECIAL MISSION AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIM." (VOL. 4, PAGE 30)
AS THE INVESTIGATION HAS ESTABLISHED, THIS "SPECIAL MISSION AND INSTRUCTIONS" WERE TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE STALIN. This was admitted by the accused Berman-Yurin, who testified that, ON MEETING TROTSKY IN COPENHAGEN, HE RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY DIRECTIONS TO KILL COMRADE STALIN.
"...DURING THIS CONVERSATION, "SAID THE ACCUSED BERMAN-YURIN, "TROTSKY OPENLY SAID TO ME THAT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST STALIN, ONE MUST NOT HESITATE TO RESORT TO EXTREME MEASURES, AND THAT STALIN MUST BE PHYSICALLY DESTROYED." (Vol. 4, p. 36)
"TROTSKY TOLD ME that this terroristic act against Stalin must not be committed secretly, on the quiet, but that THE ASSASSINATION MUST BE COMMITTED PUBLICLY, BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM." (Vol. 4, pp. 38-39)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 25-26
THE PRESIDENT: BERMAN-YURIN, TELL US WHAT INSTRUCTIONS YOU RECEIVED ABROAD BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE FOR THE SOVIET UNION?
BERMAN-YURIN: I RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS FROM TROTSKY TO GO TO THE SOVIET UNION TO COMMIT A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN. I visited Trotsky personally in Copenhagen in November 1932. The meeting was arranged by Sedov....
I had a number of talks with Sedov. Sedov systematically tried to persuade me, and convinced me, that the fight against the Communist Party was a fight against Stalin....
IN NOVEMBER 1932 I HAD A MEETING WITH SEDOV WHICH I REMEMBER VERY WELL BECAUSE SEDOV THEN, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SPOKE OPENLY ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF PREPARING TO ASSASSINATE THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU. Evidently, Sedov noticed that I was wavering and he said that Trotsky would be in Copenhagen shortly and asked me whether I would not like to go there and meet Trotsky. I, of course, expressed my agreement....
Now I come to my conversation with Trotsky. I had two meetings with him.... TROTSKY SAID: THE PRINCIPAL QUESTION IS THE QUESTION OF STALIN. STALIN MUST BE PHYSICALLY DESTROYED. He said that other methods or struggle were now ineffective. He said that for this purpose people were needed who would dare anything, who would agree to sacrifice themselves for this, as he expressed it, historic task....
In the evening we continued our conversation. I ASKED HIM HOW INDIVIDUAL TERRORISM COULD BE RECONCILED WITH MARXISM. TO THIS TROTSKY REPLIED: PROBLEMS CANNOT BE TREATED IN A DOGMATIC WAY. HE SAID THAT A SITUATION HAD ARISEN IN THE SOVIET UNION WHICH MARX COULD NOT HAVE FORESEEN. TROTSKY ALSO SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO STALIN IT WAS NECESSARY TO ASSASSINATE KAGANOVICH AND VOROSHILOV.
VYSHINSKY: What other questions did he touch upon besides questions of terrorism?
BERMAN-YURIN: TROTSKY ALSO EXPRESSED HIS VIEWS ON THE SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF INTERVENTION AGAINST THE SOVIET UNION. HE ADOPTED AN ABSOLUTELY CLEAR DEFEATIST ATTITUDE. He also said that the Trotskyites must join the Army, but that they would not defend the Soviet Union.
VYSHINSKY: Did he convince you?
BERMAN-YURIN: DURING THE CONVERSATION HE NERVOUSLY PACED UP AND DOWN THE ROOM AND TALKED OF STALIN WITH EXCEPTIONAL HATRED.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU GIVE YOUR CONSENT?
BERMAN-YURIN: YES.... HE SAID THAT THE TERRORISTIC ACT SHOULD, IF POSSIBLE, BE TIMED TO TAKE PLACE AT A PLENUM OR AT THE CONGRESS OF THE COMINTERN, SO THAT THE SHOT AT STALIN WOULD RING OUT IN A LARGE ASSEMBLY. THIS WOULD HAVE A TREMENDOUS REPERCUSSION FAR BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE SOVIET UNION....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 92-95
Berman-Yurin left for Moscow in March, 1933. Before his departure Sedov instructed him to get in touch with Fritz David and to prepare the terroristic act in conjunction with him. Soon after his arrival in Moscow Berman-Yurin met Fritz David, and together they discussed the terroristic plan and began to make preparations to carry it out....
BERMAN-YURIN: IN MAY 1936 FRITZ DAVID INFORMED ME THAT ANOTHER EMISSARY - A GERMAN - HAD ARRIVED FROM TROTSKY AND VISITED HIM, AND HAD SPOKEN TO HIM EXTREMELY SHARPLY, ACCUSING US OF BEING INACTIVE, IRRESOLUTE, LACKING COURAGE, AND HAD LITERALLY DEMANDED THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT MIGHT ARISE TO ASSASSINATE STALIN. We must make haste, we must not lose time, he said....
VYSHINSKY: BOTH TROTSKY AND SEDOV RAISED BEFORE YOU THE QUESTION OF TERRORISM AND URGED YOU TO AGREE TO COMMIT A TERRORISTIC ACT?
BERMAN-YURIN: QUITE TRUE.
VYSHINSKY: You gave your consent and were sent by Trotsky?
BERMAN-YURIN: By Trotsky through Sedov?
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 96-97
WORDS FROM FRITZ DAVID’S TESTIMONY
TROTSKY PROPOSED TO ME THAT I KILL STALIN AND KEEP APART FROM OTHER TROTS;
SAYS THERE WAS TALK OF TERRORISM ON TROTSKY’S INITIATIVE WHEN HE MET TROTSKY AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1932;
SAYS TROTSKY PROPOSED HE GO TO THE SU ALONE AND ENGAGE IN TERROR;
SAYS TROTSKY WANTED TO KEEP THE TROT ORGANIZATION OUT OF IT AND HAVE THE ACT HAPPEN BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY;
SAYS TROTSKY TOLD HIM TO ADHERE CLOSELY WITH THE PARTY LINE TO DECEIVE;
ADMITS GOING TO THE CONGRESS TO KILL STALIN BUT FAILED BECAUSE HE COULD NOT GET CLOSE ENOUGH;
SAYS SEDOV WAS FURIOUS BECAUSE STALIN WAS NOT KILLED AT THE CONGRESS;
SAYS HIS TERRORISM CONTINUED UNTIL HIS ARREST;
Simultaneously with Berman-Yurin, Trotsky sent also the accused Fritz David to the USSR to prepare a terroristic act.
In the autumn of 1932, Fritz David also had a meeting with Trotsky arranged for him by Sedov. In conversation with him, Trotsky proposed that Fritz David undertake, as he expressed it, the "historic mission" of killing Stalin.
Fritz David testified: "...WHEN PROPOSING THAT I GO TO THE USSR TO KILL STALIN, TROTSKY ADVISED ME, FOR THE SAKE OF SECRECY, NOT TO MAINTAIN OPEN CONNECTIONS WITH THE TROTSKYITES but outwardly to adhere to the policy of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Germany."
"This conversation with Trotsky took place in November 1932 and I accepted his proposal to kill Stalin." (Vol. 8, p. 73)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 26-27
As both of the accused admitted during the investigation, Fritz David was to have shot Stalin at the 7th Congress with a browning pistol which he had received from Berman-Yurin. (Vol. 8, p. 77)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 27
Fritz David was sent to the Soviet Union by Trotsky as a terrorist with instructions to make an attempt on the life of Comrade Stalin. In reply to a question put to him by the President of the Court the accused confirms his testimony as to the instructions he received personally from Trotsky in Copenhagen. In order not to expose the underground Trotskyite organization to any risk, Fritz David did not establish contact with anybody in the USSR except with Berman-Yurin. This, declares the accused, was in pursuance of the direct instructions of Trotsky.
VYSHINSKY: WHEN DID YOU MEET TROTSKY?
FRITZ DAVID: I MET HIM AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1932.
VYSHINSKY: TELL ME, DURING THAT MEETING WITH TROTSKY, WAS THERE TALK OF TERRORISM?
FRITZ DAVID: THERE WAS.
VYSHINSKY: ON WHOSE INITIATIVE?
FRITZ DAVID: ON TROTSKY'S INITIATIVE.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 112
In his testimony regarding the content of his conversation with Trotsky, Fritz David declares that Trotsky said that the advent of the Trotskyites to power in the USSR was possible only if Stalin were physically destroyed.
One of the prospects put forward by Trotsky was to take a defeatist attitude in the event of war, but he stressed the point that "there is a closer prospect of Trotskyites coming to power - the prospect of the physical removal of Stalin."
VYSHINSKY: What was your attitude toward this idea?
FRITZ DAVID: I accepted this second prospect.
VYSHINSKY: Did you tell him so - that you accepted this line, that you agreed?
FRITZ DAVID: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: YOU TOLD HIM YOU WOULD UNDERTAKE A TERRORISTIC MISSION?
FRITZ DAVID: YES. HE PROPOSED THAT I GO TO THE USSR AND PERSONALLY COMMIT A TERRORISTIC ACT, WITHOUT THE AID OF OTHERS, WITHOUT ANY ORGANIZATION, WITHOUT CONTACTS WITH OTHER TROTSKYITES.
VYSHINSKY: And that is what the instruction concerning secrecy amounted to?
FRITZ DAVID: Yes. TROTSKY TOLD ME THAT THIS AFFAIR INVOLVED RISK AND THAT THERE WAS NO POINT IN EXPOSING THE TROTSKYITE ORGANIZATION IN THE USSR TO THAT RISK. THE SECOND INSTRUCTION WAS TO THE EFFECT THAT THIS TERRORISTIC ACT WAS TO BEAR AN INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, WAS TO BE COMMITTED AT AN INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THIS SHOT, AS TROTSKY EXPRESSED IT, WAS TO REVERBERATE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD.
VYSHINSKY: Did your conversation end at that?
FRITZ DAVID: Our conversation, which was a very long one ended at that. Besides, Trotsky said, for example, that talk about individual terror not being compatible with Marxism was a subject for the philistines of Marxism.
VYSHINSKY: What other instructions did Trotsky give you?
FRITZ DAVID: TROTSKY INSTRUCTED ME TO BEHAVE IN THE USSR IN SUCH A WAY AS NOT TO SHOW ANY DEVIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL LINE OF THE PARTY, AND WHEN WRITING FOR THE PRESS TO ADHERE STRICTLY TO THE PARTY LINE, and under no circumstances to reveal the threads after the terroristic act was committed.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 112-114
Fritz David arrived in the USSR in March 1933 and met Berman-Yurin who sought him out on Sedov's instructions. Fritz David and Berman-Yurin drew up two concrete plans for attempts on the life of Comrade Stalin; the first was to be made at the 13th plenum of the ECCI, the second at the Seventh Congress of the Comintern. Both plans failed, because Comrade Stalin did not attend the Thirteenth Plenum, while only Fritz David was able to get into the Congress of the Comintern, since he had failed to obtain a ticket for Berman-Yurin. Fritz David, according to his statement, was unable to commit the terroristic act because it was impossible to get near Comrade Stalin....
VYSHINSKY: SO YOU GAINED ENTRY TO THE CONGRESS?
FRITZ DAVID: YES, I WAS AT THE CONGRESS.
VYSHINSKY: WHY WAS THE TERRORISTIC ACT NOT COMMITTED?
FRITZ DAVID: THE INDICTMENT QUITE CORRECTLY STATES THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET NEAR STALIN.
VYSHINSKY: YOU WENT TO THE CONGRESS TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION?
FRITZ DAVID: OF COURSE.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 114
After the seventh Congress messengers from Trotsky's son, Sedov, visited Fritz David on two occasions, and in Sedov's name accused the terrorists of not being sufficiently active and ordered them to speed up the terroristic act in accordance with Trotsky's instructions.
VYSHINSKY: These meetings took place on the basis of your terroristic plans?
FRITZ DAVID: These meetings were caused by the fact that THE TERRORISTIC ACT WAS NOT COMMITTED AT THE SEVENTH CONGRESS, AND THIS MADE SEDOV FURIOUS.
VYSHINSKY: BUT DID YOUR TERRORISTIC DISPOSITION PASS AWAY AFTER THIS, OR DID IT CONTINUE UNTIL QUITE RECENTLY?
FRITZ DAVID: YES IT CONTINUED.
VYSHINSKY: UNTIL WHEN?
FRITZ DAVID: UNTIL MY ARREST.
VYSHINSKY: So we may sum up. You were a member of the Trotskyite organization and met Trotsky personally. Trotsky personally commissioned you to go to the USSR to commit a terroristic act and warned you to observe strict secrecy. That explains why you made no contacts with any other members of the Trotskyite organization except Berman-Yurin. Together with Berman-Yurin, who had received analogous instructions, you made preparations for an attempt on the life of Comrade Stalin, timing it for the Seventh Congress in 1935. Thanks to the contacts you had in the Comintern you personally gained entry to the Congress in order to commit this act, but you failed to do so owing to circumstances over which you had no control.
FRITZ DAVID: I question this last point somewhat, not in order to minimize my guilt, but simply to present the whole picture.
VYSHINSKY: Then let's say: owing to objective circumstances?
FRITZ DAVID: Owing to objective and subjective factors.
VYSHINSKY: But you will not deny the charge against you that you failed to commit the act because you could not get nearer to the platform and had no chance to get near Comrade Stalin?
FRITZ DAVID: That was one of the reasons.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 p. 114-115
WORDS FROM M. LURYE’S TESTIMONY
SAYS HE LED A TERRORIST GROUP ORGANIZED BY WEITZ TO KILL SOVIET LEADERS;
SAYS ZINOVIEV SAID HE WAS WILLING TO UNITE WITH THE NAZIS TO OPPOSE THE SU;
N. LURYE ADMITTED HE LED A TERRORIST GROUP TO KILL VOROSHILOV;
ADMITS RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS INDIRECTLY FROM TROTSKY TO KILL STALIN;
ADMITS HE KNEW N.LURYE WAS A TROT PREPARING TERRORISTIC ACTS;
ADMITS PREPARING AN ATTEMPT TO KILL ZHDANOV;
ADMITS BEING A TROT PREPARING TO KILL OR TROTSKY’S ORDERS; ADMITS BEING CONNECTED TO THE FASCIST WEITZ;
ADMITS HE DID NOT HELP MAKE PREPARATIONS TO KILL STALIN BUT HE DID RELAY THE INSTRUCTIONS;
The investigation has also established that the terroristic group headed by Trotsky's agent, M. Lurye, whom Trotsky sent into the USSR from abroad, was actually organized by the active German fascist Franz Weitz, a representative of Himmler, at that time the leader of the fascist SS detachments and now the director of the Gestapo.
On this point M. Lurye, examined on July 21, stated:
"N. Lurye replied that he was still, as before, a convinced Trotskyite, and he reported that a terrorist group, small in number, but very reliable, had been organized here in Moscow in April 1932...."
"...When I asked on whose instructions and at whose initiative this action group had been organized, N. Lurye answered that THE ACTION GROUP WAS CREATED BY A CERTAIN FRANZ WEITZ..."
"...THE MAIN TASK OF THE GROUP, ACCORDING TO WEITZ, WAS TO PREPARE TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN, KAGANOVICH, VOROSHILOV, AND ORDJONIKIDZE...." (Vol. 32, pp. 243-244)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 27-28
The accused M. Lurye communicated to Zinoviev in detail N. Lurye's report, designed to ascertain Zinoviev's attitude toward connections with the fascists and the German secret police.
After listening to M. Lurye's communication, Zinoviev replied:
"What is there in this to disturb you? You are a historian, you know the case of Lassalle and Bismarck, when Lassalle wanted to use Bismarck in the interests of the revolution."
"...BY MEANS OF THIS HISTORICAL PARALLEL, "ADDED M. LURYE, "ZINOVIEV WANTED TO PROVE THE POSSIBILITY AND THE NECESSITY OF UTILIZING AN ALLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL-SOCIALISTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE CPSU AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT." (Vol. 32, p. 252)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 28
M. Lurye's testimony was fully confirmed by N. Lurye, who, during examination on July 21 testified as follows:
"I MUST ADMIT THAT FROM THE AUTUMN OF 1932 TO THE END OF 1933 THE TERRORIST ACTION GROUP OF WHICH I WAS THE HEAD, WAS ACTIVELY PREPARING A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST THE PEOPLE'S COMMISSAR OF DEFENSE, VOROSHILOV...."
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 28
VYSHINSKY: Accused M. Lurye, tell me, please, what concrete steps did you take in your terroristic activity?
M. LURYE: On leaving Berlin for Moscow on March 4, 1933, I received definite instructions. I received these instructions from Ruth Fisher and Maslov, but actually they were instructions of Trotsky himself.... THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTER: TROTSKY IS OF THE OPINION AND SAYS, AND WE, THAT IS TO SAY, MASLOV AND RUTH FISHER, ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTION TO THE EFFECT THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO SPEED UP THE ORGANIZATION OF TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE CPSU AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT, IN THE FIRST PLACE AGAINST STALIN....
On arriving in Moscow on March 9, 1933, I communicated this verbal instruction at its destination, namely, to Zinoviev's former personal emissary in Berlin, Herzberg.... Herzberg accepted the instruction and said that this instruction from Trotsky, Ruth Fisher, and Maslov was fully in accord with identical decisions already adopted by our center in the USSR.
VYSHINSKY: Tell me please, were you connected with N. Lurye?
M. LURYE: Yes. I was connected with N. Lurye approximately from April 1933 to January 2, 1936.
VYSHINSKY: YOU KNEW N. LURYE AS A MEMBER OF THE UNDERGROUND TROTSKYITE ORGANIZATION?
M. LURYE: CERTAINLY.
VYSHINSKY: YOU KNEW THAT AT THAT PERIOD N. LURYE WAS ENGAGED IN PREPARING A NUMBER OF TERRORISTIC ACTS?
M. LURYE: QUITE TRUE.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 105-107
M. Lurye then goes on to relate how he organized the attempt on the life of Comrade Ordjonikidze.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 107
VYSHINSKY: In what other measures for committing terroristic acts did you participate?
M. LURYE: I TOOK PART IN PREPARING AN ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF ZHDANOV.
I can add something to N. Lurye's testimony.... N. Lurye informed me concretely of the work of the terrorist group organized by Weitz. Noting my perplexity when I heard about this sort of ally, N. Lurye asked me what I thought about it. I replied that my personal attitude played no role here,...
From the time of my conversation with him in April 1933 N. Lurye's group, which was organized by the fascist Franz Weitz, worked with the knowledge and indisputably with the consent of the center, and of Zinoviev personally.
VYSHINSKY: Consequently, YOU ADMIT THAT FOR A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF YEARS YOU WERE A MEMBER OF THE UNDERGROUND TROTSKYITE ORGANIZATION?
M. LURYE: YES, I FULLY ADMIT IT.
VYSHINSKY: THAT ORGANIZATION PURSUED TERRORISTIC AIMS?
M. LURYE: I ADMIT THAT I BROUGHT SUCH INSTRUCTIONS.
VYSHINSKY: YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM FROM TROTSKY THROUGH RUTH FISHER AND MASLOV AND COMMUNICATED THEM TO ZINOVIEV?
M. LURYE: YES.
VYSHINSKY: You know that the instructions were communicated?
M. LURYE: Quite definitely.
VYSHINSKY: WERE YOU CONNECTED WITH N. LURYE'S GROUP AND SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE FASCIST AGENT FRANZ WEITZ?
M. LURYE: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH N. LURYE PREPARE A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS AT ASSASSINATION, AND DID YOU GIVE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO PREPARE THE ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF COMRADE STALIN?
M. LURYE: I DID NOT TAKE PART IN THE PREPARATIONS, BUT I COMMUNICATED INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE ATTEMPT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 107-109
LEADERS OF THE BLOC PLANNED TO KILL THEIR OWN PEOPLE TO COVER THEIR TRACKS
Finally, the circumstances established by the investigation showed that Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev and others, the leaders of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc, in their fight against the Soviet government sank so low that their morals proved to be more contemptible than those of gangs of the most hardened criminals. While organizing terroristic acts against leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet State, the leaders of the united center simultaneously were preparing to exterminate their own terrorist agents, in order completely to wipe out all traces of their crimes.
On this point the accused Reingold testified as follows:
"Zinoviev and Kamenev did not exclude the possibility that the 0GPU was in possession of the threads of the conspiracy against the State which was being prepared by them. Therefore they regarded it as their most important task to destroy every possible trace of the crimes committed. For this purpose it was proposed to appoint Bakayev chairman of the 0GPU. He was to be charged with the function of physically exterminating the persons who directly carried out terroristic acts against Stalin and Kirov, as well as those workers of the 0GPU who might be in possession of the threads of the crimes committed." (Vol. 27, pp. 163-164)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 29
MANY KEY BLOC LEADERS ADMIT THE BLOC CARRIED OUT THE KILLING OF KIROV
At the present time, the investigating authorities are in possession of facts establishing beyond doubt that the murder of Kirov was committed in accordance with the decision of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center. This was admitted at the preliminary investigation by the majority of active members of various terrorist Trotskyite-Zinovievite groups, including the accused Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev, Mrachkovsky, and others.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 30
WORDS FROM ZINOVIEV’S TESTIMONY
ADMITS HE TOLD BAKAYEV TO KILL STALIN, AND KAREV TO KILL KIROV; ADMITS HE, KAMENEV, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN? ORGANIZED THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV;
SMIRNOV INSISTED ON TERRORIST ACTS AND WE WERE ALREADY CONVINCED;
ADMITS HE INSTRUCTED BOGDAN TO SHOOT STALIN;
SAYS THE REAL AND PRINCIPAL CULPRITS OF THE FOUL MURDER OF KIROV WERE HIMSELF, TROTSKY, AND KAMENEV AND KAMENEV AGREES;
HE AND KAMENEV ADMIT THAT THEIR PLEDGES OF PARTY LOYALTY WERE EXAMPLES OF PERFIDY, DOUBLE-DEALING & TREASON; ADMITS SMIRNOV CORRECTLY ACCUSES HIM OF OFTEN LYING;
ADMITS HE DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH AT THE JAN 1935 TRIAL;
ADMITS TALKING TO SMIRNOV ABOUT WHO WOULD DO THE KILLING AND WHO WOULD BE KILLED WITH STALIN AS THE MAIN NAME;
ADMITS HE AND TROTSKY WERE THE LEADERS OF THE BLOC AND SMIRNOV WAS THE MAIN TROT REPRESENTATIVE;
ADMITS THAT BLOC MEMBERS UNITED PRIMARILY AROUND THE USE OF TERROR;
ADMITS THAT HE AND SMIRNOV AGREED ON THE MAIN TARGETS;
SAYS THAT WHEN HE AND KAMENEV WENT INTO EXILE AFTER THE RYUTIN AFFAIR FELL THROUGH, THEY LEFT EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, AND SMIRNOV IN CHARGE OF TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES; SAYS HIS PERFIDY WENT TO SUCH LENGTHS THAT HE SENT AN OBITUARY ABOUT KIROV TO PRAVDA;
ADMITS HE EXPEDITED THE KILLING OF KIROV;
ADMITS RECOMMENDING TO BAKAYEV THAT BOGDAN KILL STALIN;
After obdurate denials, the accused Zinoviev, convicted by the testimony of a number of other accused, had to admit that as far back as 1932 the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center had decided to organize terroristic acts against Comrade Stalin in Moscow and against Comrade Kirov in Leningrad.
"In the autumn of 1932," stated the accused Zinoviev, "In my villa at Ilyinskoye in the presence of Kamenev, Bakayev, Evdokimov, and Karev, I INSTRUCTED BAKAYEV TO PREPARE A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN, AND KAREV TO PREPARE A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST KIROV." (Vol. 12, p. 36)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 31
As the investigation has established, the practical fulfillment of the plan to organize the murder of Comrade Kirov was assigned by the united center to Bakayev, a member of that center.
Direct evidence on this is given by the accused Zinoviev, who admitted that it was precisely Bakayev who had been instructed by Zinoviev, in the name of the united center, to organize the terroristic acts against Comrade Stalin in Moscow and against Comrade Kirov in Leningrad (Vol. 12, p. 36)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 32
Mrachkovsky then goes on to tell the Court about the activities of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite terrorist center. The members of this center were Zinoviev, Kamenev, Lominadze, Mrachkovsky, Ter-Vaganyan, and others.
Comrade Vyshinsky then asked Zinoviev:
VYSHINSKY: When was the united center organized?
ZINOVIEV: In the summer of 1932.
VYSHINSKY: During what period of time did it function?
ZINOVIEV: Actually up to 1936.
VYSHINSKY: What were its activities?
ZINOVIEV: Its main activities consisted in making preparations for terroristic acts.
VYSHINSKY: Against whom?
ZINOVIEV: Against the leaders.
VYSHINSKY: That is against Comrades Stalin, Voroshilov, and Kaganovich? WAS IT YOUR CENTER THAT ORGANIZED THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE KIROV? WAS THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV ORGANIZED BY YOUR CENTER, OR BY SOME OTHER ORGANIZATION?
ZINOVIEV: YES, BY OUR CENTER.
VYSHINSKY: IN THAT CENTER THERE WERE YOU, KAMENEV, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: SO YOU ALL ORGANIZED THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: SO YOU ALL ASSASSINATED COMRADE KIROV?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 44-45
Upon the conclusion of Dreitzer's examination Comrade Vyshinsky puts several questions to the accused Zinoviev.
VYSHINSKY: Accused Zinoviev, in the summer of 1932 had you already come to an understanding about the necessity of organizing terroristic acts, or was there only talk about these terroristic acts?
ZINOVIEV: As far as I can picture it, the situation was as follows: With the Trotskyites this was already a mature decision, based on the absolutely precise instructions of Trotsky given a fairly long time before that, and they had taken a number of practical steps.
VYSHINSKY: What was the attitude of the Trotskyite part of your bloc on the question of terrorism?
ZINOVIEV: in our negotiations on the formation of the united center this question played a decisive part. By that time the so-called Zinovievite part of the bloc was fully ripe for such decisions.
VYSHINSKY: Did Smirnov display any activity in relation to this, or not?
ZINOVIEV: Smirnov, in my opinion, displayed more activity than any one else, and we regarded him as the undisputed head of the Trotskyite part of the bloc, as the man best informed about Trotsky's views, and fully sharing these views.
VYSHINSKY: Did you personally hear a number of proposals from Smirnov?
ZINOVIEV: I personally conducted negotiations with him two or three times.
VYSHINSKY: DID SMIRNOV DISPLAY PERSISTENCE DURING THESE NEGOTIATIONS; DID HE PRESS FOR TERRORISTIC ACTS?
ZINOVIEV: AS I HAVE ALREADY SAID, HE HEATEDLY AND WITH MUCH PERSUASION INSISTED ON THE COMMISSION OF TERRORISTIC ACTS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO NEED TO PERSUADE US. WE WERE ALREADY CONVINCED.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 53-54
VYSHINSKY: Did Bogdan receive any instructions?
BAKAYEV: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: From whom?
BAKAYEV: From Zinoviev. ON ZINOVIEV'S INSTRUCTIONS BOGDAN WAS TO SHOOT STALIN IN THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED ZINOVIEV, HAVE YOU HEARD BAKAYEV'S TESTIMONY?
ZINOVIEV: IT IS TRUE THAT I ADVISED BAKAYEV TO ENLIST BOGDAN FOR TERRORISTIC ATTEMPTS, AND THAT ONE OF THOSE TO BE ASSASSINATED BY HIM WAS STALIN.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 59
VYSHINSKY: Accused Zinoviev, you too were an organizer of the assassination of Comrade Kirov, weren't you?
ZINOVIEV: I THINK BAKAYEV IS RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS THAT THE REAL AND PRINCIPAL CULPRITS OF THE FOUL MURDER OF KIROV WERE MYSELF, TROTSKY, AND KAMENEV WHO ORGANIZED THE UNITED TERRORIST CENTER. BAKAYEV PLAYED AN IMPORTANT, BUT NOT THE DECISIVE PART IN IT.
VYSHINSKY: The decisive part was played by you, Trotsky, and Kamenev. ACCUSED KAMENEV, DO YOU ASSOCIATIVE YOURSELF WITH ZINOVIEV'S STATEMENT THAT THE PRINCIPAL ORGANIZERS WERE YOU, TROTSKY, AND ZINOVIEV, AND THAT BAKAYEV, PLAYED THE PART OF A PRACTICAL ORGANIZER?
KAMENEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 62
VYSHINSKY: WHAT APPRAISAL SHOULD BE GIVEN OF THE ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS YOU WROTE IN 1933, IN WHICH YOU EXPRESSED LOYALTY TO THE PARTY? DECEPTION?
KAMENEV: NO, WORSE THAN DECEPTION.
VYSHINSKY: PERFIDY?
KAMENEV: WORSE.
VYSHINSKY: WORSE THAN DECEPTION, WORSE THAN PERFIDY - FIND THE WORD. TREASON?
KAMENEV: YOU HAVE FOUND IT.
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED ZINOVIEV, DO YOU CONFIRM THIS?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: TREASON, PERFIDY, DOUBLE-DEALING?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 68
Zinoviev begins his testimony by relating the history of the restoration of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center in 1932. He emphasizes that there were never any material differences between the Trotskyites and the Zinovievites.
ZINOVIEV: Our differences with Trotsky after the 15th Congress when Trotsky used the word "treachery" in relation to me and Kamenev, were really slight zigzags, petty disagreements. We committed no treachery whatever against Trotsky at that time, but committed one more act of treachery against the Bolshevik Party to which we belonged.
But it was precisely at that moment that we were completely adopting, as our main line, double-dealing to which we had already resorted previously, which we had practiced in 1926 and in 1927. In 1928, however, after the 15th Congress of the CPSU we could not take a single step, we could not utter a single word without betraying the Party in one way or another, without resorting to double-dealing in one way or another. From 1928 to 1932 there was not for one moment any real difference between ourselves and the Trotskyites. And so the logic of things carried us to terrorism.
We banked on a growth of difficulties. We hoped that they would grow to such an extant that we and the Rightists and the Trotskyites, and the smaller groups associated with them, could come out openly. We dreamed of coming out in a united front. At that time we thought that the Rightists had most chances of success, that their prognoses were more likely to come true, and that their names would have particular power of attraction. At that time we attempted to place particular emphasis on our closeness to them.
At the same time certain underground groups of the Right as well as of the so-called "Left" trend, sought contact with me and Kamenev. Approaches were made by the remnants of the "Workers' Opposition: by Shlyapnikov and Medvedyev. Approaches came also from groups of the so-called "Leftists": that is, Lominadze, Shatskin, Sten, and others. Approaches also came from the so-called "individuals," to whose numbers belonged Smilga, and to a certain extent, Sokolnikov.
In the second half of 1932 we realized that our banking on a growth of difficulties in the country had failed. We began to realize that the Party and its Central Committee would overcome these difficulties. But both in the first and in the second half of 1932 we were filled with hatred towards the Central Committee of the Party and towards Stalin.
We were convinced that the leadership must be superseded at all costs, that it must be superseded by us, along with Trotsky. IN THIS SITUATION I HAD MEETINGS WITH SMIRNOV WHO HAS ACCUSED ME HERE OF FREQUENTLY TELLING UNTRUTHS. YES, I OFTEN TOLD UNTRUTHS. I started doing that from the moment I began fighting the Bolshevik Party. Insofar as Smirnov took the road of fighting the Party, he too is telling untruths. But it seems, the difference between him and myself is that I have decided firmly and irrevocably to tell at this last moment the truth, whereas, he it seems has adopted a different decision.
VYSHINSKY: Are you telling the whole truth now?
ZINOVIEV: Now I am telling the whole truth to the end.
VYSHINSKY: Remember that on Jan. 15-16, 1935, at the sessions of the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court, you also asserted that you were telling the whole truth.
ZINOVIEV: YES, ON JAN. 15-16 I DID NOT TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH.
VYSHINSKY: YOU DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH, BUT YOU MAINTAINED THAT YOU WERE TELLING THE TRUTH.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 71-72
ZINOVIEV: ...I SPOKE A GREAT DEAL WITH SMIRNOV ABOUT CHOOSING PEOPLE FOR TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES AND ALSO DESIGNATED THE PERSONS AGAINST WHOM THE WEAPON OF TERRORISM WAS TO BE DIRECTED. THE NAME OF STALIN WAS MENTIONED IN THE FIRST PLACE, followed by those of Kirov, Voroshilov, and other leaders of the Party and the government. For the purpose of executing these plans, a Trotskyite-Zinovievite terrorist center was formed, the leading part in which was played by myself-Zinoviev, and by Smirnov on behalf of the Trotskyites.
VYSHINSKY: THUS, SUMMING OF YOUR TESTIMONY, WE MAY DRAW THE CONCLUSION THAT IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE TERRORIST BLOC AND CENTER, THE DECISIVE PART WAS PLAYED, ON THE ONE HAND, BY YOU, AS THE LEADER OF THE ZINOVIEVITES, AND, ON THE OTHER, BY TROTSKY THROUGH HIS REPRESENTATIVES?
ZINOVIEV: THAT IS CORRECT.
VYSHINSKY: AT THAT TIME TROTSKY'S PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVE AND EVEN DEPUTY IN THE USSR WAS SMIRNOV?
ZINOVIEV: THAT IS CORRECT.
VYSHINSKY: WAS THE RECOGNITION OF THE NECESSITY OF TERRORISM THE DECISIVE CONDITION FOR UNITING THE TROTSKYITES AND ZINOVIEVITES?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU AND SMIRNOV DESIGNATE THE PERSONS AGAINST WHOM TERROR WAS TO BE DIRECTED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE? IS IT TRUE THAT THESE PERSONS WERE COMRADE STALIN, COMRADE KIROV, AND COMRADE VOROSHILOV?
ZINOVIEV: THAT WAS THE CENTRAL QUESTION.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 72-73
ZINOVIEV: WHEN KAMENEV AND I WENT INTO EXILE AFTER THE RYUTIN AFFAIR FELL THROUGH, WE LEFT EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, AND SMIRNOV IN CHARGE OF TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES. We placed special hopes on Smirnov. At the same time I conducted negotiations with Tomsky, whom I informed about our bloc with the Trotskyites. Tomsky expressed complete solidarity with us.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 73
ZINOVIEV: After the murder of Kirov OUR PERFIDY WENT TO SUCH LENGTHS THAT I SENT AN OBITUARY ABOUT KIROV TO PRAVDA. That obituary was not published. As far as I remember, Kamenev, and I think Evdokimov also, wrote obituaries on Kirov.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 74
ZINOVIEV: I sent Bakayev to Leningrad as one who enjoyed our confidence, who knew very well the personnel of the terrorists, in order to check up on the people, the situation, the degree of preparedness etc. On his return from Leningrad Bakayev reported that everything was in order.
VYSHINSKY: Were you sure that everything was going on well?
ZINOVIEV: I considered that all the work had been done.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU HASTEN, DID YOU EXPEDITE THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV? WERE THERE TIMES WHEN YOU EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH A CERTAIN MEASURE OF SLOWNESS ON THE PART OF YOUR TERRORISTS?
ZINOVIEV: YES, I EXPRESSED SOME DISSATISFACTION.
VYSHINSKY: CAN WE SAY THAT YOU WERE NOT ONLY THE ORGANIZER AND INSPIRER OF THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV, BUT ALSO THE ORGANIZER OF THE MORE EXPEDITIOUS REALIZATION OF THIS EVENT?
ZINOVIEV: THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I TRIED TO EXPEDITE IT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 74-75
Replying to a question put to him by Comrade Ulrich, President of the Court, about the part he, Zinoviev, played in preparing a terroristic act against Comrade Stalin, Zinoviev says that he took part in this affair and that he knew of two attempts on the life of Comrade Stalin in which Reingold, Dreitzer, and Pickel had taken part. Zinoviev also confirms that he recommended his private secretary, Bogdan, to Bakayev, the leader of the terrorist groups, as the one to assassinate Comrade Stalin.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU RECOMMEND BOGDAN TO BAKAYEV FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE STALIN? DO YOU CONFIRM THAT?
ZINOVIEV: I DO.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 76
ZINOVIEV ADMITS HIS CENTER ORGANIZED THE MURDER OF KIROV
VYSHINSKY: WAS IT YOUR CENTER THAT ORGANIZED THE MURDER OF KIROV?
ZINOVIEV: YES, BY OUR CENTER.
VYSHINSKY: DID THIS CENTER COMPRISE YOU, KAMENEV, SMIRNOV, MRACHKOVSKY, AND TER-VAGANYAN?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: SO YOU ORGANIZED THE MURDER OF KIROV?
ZINOVIEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 153
WORDS FROM BAKAYEV’S TESTIMONY
ADMITS THAT ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM TO KILL STALIN IN MOSCOW AND TOLD KAREV TO KILL KIROV IN LENINGRAD;
ADMITS GOING TO LENINGRAD TO PREPARE KIROV’S KILLING;
SAYS ZINOVIEV CONTENDED HIS FOLLOWERS SHOULD START GETTING READY TO KILL STALIN;
ADMITS HE WAS TOLD TO PREPARE TO KILL STALIN AND HE GOT READY; SAYS HE DISCUSSED THE KIROV KILLING WITH NIKOLAYEV WHO HAD RECEIVED ORDERS FROM ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV;
SAYS HE WAS FOR KILLING KIROV;
SAYS ZINOVIEV INTRODUCED HIM TO THE MAN WHO WAS TO KILL STALIN;
SAYS NIKOLAYEV TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD KILL KIROV;
ADMITS BEING IN A TERRORIST GROUP AND BEING ORDERED TO KILL STALIN;
ADMITS MAKING FAILED ATTEMPTS TO KILL STALIN;
ADMITS HELPING TO KILL GORKY;
ADMITS GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO NIKOLAYEV TO KILL KIROV;
ADMITS ORGANIZING THE CRIME
After persistent denials of his participation in the organization of the assassination of Comrade Kirov, the accused Bakayev, under the weight of evidence brought against him, testified:
"I ADMIT THAT ZINOVIEV PERSONALLY INSTRUCTED ME TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN IN MOSCOW, AND KAREV TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV IN LENINGRAD."
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 33
In reply to Comrade Vyshinsky, the accused Kamenev once again states that "the instructions Smirnov had personally received from Trotsky - the directions on terrorism - had been passed on as given by Smirnov...."
At the end of Mrachkovsky's examination Vyshinsky asks Bakayev in what part of 1934 he went to Leningrad.
BAKAYEV: In the autumn.
VYSHINSKY: For what purpose?
BAKAYEV: To ascertain the preparedness of the organization to assassinate Kirov.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 46
VYSHINSKY: ACCUSED BAKAYEV, DO YOU CONFIRM THIS?
BAKAYEV: DURING THAT CONFERENCE ZINOVIEV SAID THAT THE TROTSKYITES, ON TROTSKY'S PROPOSAL, HAD SET TO WORK TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF STALIN AND THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN THIS MATTER INTO OUR OWN HANDS.
VYSHINSKY: ZINOVIEV SAID THAT?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: Zinoviev said that you should take the initiative in?
BAKAYEV: AT THAT CONFERENCE I WAS INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN.
VYSHINSKY: AND YOU UNDERTOOK TO DO THAT, DID YOU?
BAKAYEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 48
As a result of further questioning Comrade Vyshinsky establishes that while on his visit to Leningrad, Bakayev met the future murderer of Kirov, Nikolayev, with whom he discussed the preparations for the assassination.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU MEET NIKOLAYEV IN LENINGRAD?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU CONFER ABOUT AN UNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV?
BAKAYEV: THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ME TO COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING WITH HIM ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASSASSINATION HAD BEEN GIVEN BY ZINOVIEV AND KAMENEV.
VYSHINSKY: BUT NIKOLAYEV TOLD YOU THAT HE HAD DECIDED TO ASSASSINATE KIROV, DIDN'T HE?
BAKAYEV: HE DID, AND SO DID THE OTHER TERRORISTS - Levin, Mandelstamm, Kotolynov, and Rumyantsev.
VYSHINSKY: YOU DISCUSSED THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: HE EXPRESSED HIS DETERMINATION. AND WHAT WAS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT?
BAKAYEV: I WAS FOR IT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 49
BAKAYEV: The day after I had been instructed to organize the assassination, Zinoviev asked me to come and see him. In his apartment I met Reingold and Bogdan. After greeting me Zinoviev said: 'Here is a gunmen for your group; then Reingold recommends also Faivilovich whom I too know as being all right.'
VYSHINSKY: What does it mean "being all right."
BAKAYEV: An absolutely reliable person.
VYSHINSKY: For committing terroristic acts?
BAKAYEV: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 59
...In the autumn of 1932 Zinoviev and Kamenev were expelled from the Party. The question then arose: What to do next? Then Bakayev met Zinoviev, Evdokimov, Kuklin, Sharov, Dreitzer, and others and it was resolved to suspend terroristic activities for a time. In the autumn of 1934 they were resumed.
Bakayev testifies that in October 1934 an attempt on the life of Stalin was organized in Moscow under the direction of Kamenev, Evdokimov, and himself, in which he, Bakayev, took a direct part. The attempt failed. When the attempt failed Bakayev went to Kamenev and told him about it.
BAKAYEV: Kamenev said: 'A pity, let's hope that next time we'll be more successful.' Then turning to Evdokimov he asked how things were in Leningrad. Evdokimov replied that it would be advisable to check the situation in Leningrad and that Bakayev should be sent to Leningrad.... I went and was actually met at the station by Levin.... I asked to be introduced to one of those who had been assigned to commit terroristic acts. Levin asked Kotolynov to invite Nikolayev.... NIKOLAYEV GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION OF BEING A DETERMINED AND CONVINCED TERRORIST. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SUCCEEDED IN FINDING OUT THE EXACT TIME WHEN KIROV TRAVELED FROM HIS APARTMENT TO THE SMOLNY, THAT HE COULD KILL KIROV EITHER NEAR THE SMOLNY OR IN THE SMOLNY ITSELF and that he had tried to get an appointment with Kirov so as to shoot him but had failed to get an appointment.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 60-61
VYSHINSKY: BAKAYEV, IS IT CORRECT THAT YOU WERE A MEMBER OF THE TERRORIST CENTER?
BAKAYEV: YES, IT IS.
VYSHINSKY: IN 1932 YOU RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS TO ORGANIZE THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE STALIN. WAS THAT SO?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU TAKE A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL MEASURES TO CARRY OUT THESE INSTRUCTIONS, NAMELY TO ORGANIZE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS ON THE LIFE OF COMRADE STALIN, WHICH FAILED THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOURS?
BAKAYEV: THAT IS SO.
VYSHINSKY: BESIDES, DID YOU TAKE PART IN THE ASSASSINATION OF COMRADE KIROV?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: On your return from Leningrad, you reported that everything was in order, that the preparations for the murder were proceeding successfully. While you were in Leningrad did you meet Kotolynov, Rumyantsev, and others?
BAKAYEV: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: IN ADDITION, DID YOU MEET NIKOLAYEV, GIVE HIM INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION, AND CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT NIKOLAYEV WAS A MAN OF DETERMINATION AND COULD CARRY OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN?
BAKAYEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: YOU GAVE THE SIGNALS, YOU CHECKED UP ON THE TIME, YOU CHECKED UP ON ALL THAT WAS BEING DONE AT YOUR SIGNAL, YOU PERPETRATED A DEED-DOESN'T THAT MEAN BEING THE ORGANIZER OF THE CRIME?
BAKAYEV: YES, THAT MEANS BEING THE ORGANIZER OF THE CRIME.
VYSHINSKY: So we are correct in saying that you were the organizer of the assassination of Kirov?
BAKAYEV: Well, yes, but I was not the only one.
VYSHINSKY: You were not the only one, Evdokimov was with you.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 61
WORDS FROM KAREV’S TESTIMONY
SAID ZINOVIEV TOLD HIIM BAKAYEV HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH THE PREPARATION OF TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN AND KIROV;
BAKAYEV TOLD HIM HE INTENDED TO UTILIZE THE ZINOVIEVITE GROUPS FOR A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST KIROV
Evidence on the role played by Bakayev as one of the principal organizers of the assassination of Comrade Kirov was also given by Karev,... At the examination held on July 5, 1936, Karev stated:
"ZINOVIEV SAID THAT BAKAYEV HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH THE PREPARATION OF TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST STALIN AND KIROV and that for this purpose he was to utilize his connections with the Zinovievite groups in Leningrad and Moscow."
"IN CONVERSATION WITH BAKAYEV, I LEARNED THAT THE LATTER INTENDED TO UTILIZE THE ZINOVIEVITE GROUPS OF RAMYANTESEV AND KOTOLYNOV IN LENINGRAD WITH WHICH HE, BAKAYEV, HAD CONTACT, FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST KIROV." (Vol. 3, p. 11)
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 33
WORDS FROM MATORIN’S TESTIMONY
ZINOVIEV TOLD HIM THE KILLING OF KIROV MUST BE SPEEDED UP
Zinoviev also pressed forward in every way the assassination of Comrade Kirov and, as testified by Matorin, formerly Zinoviev's private secretary, Zinoviev reproached the members of the terrorist group for being slow and irresolute.
Matorin testified:
"ZINOVIEV TOLD ME THAT THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE TERRORISTIC ACT MUST BE PRESSED FORWARD TO THE UTMOST AND THAT KIROV MUST BE KILLED BY THE WINTER. Zinoviev reproached me for not displaying sufficient determination and energy.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 34
ALL THE DEFENDANTS FULLY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUILTY
The accused in this case: Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev, Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, Dreitzer, Olberg, Fritz David, Holtzman, Pickel, Reingold, Berman-Yurin, M. Lurye, and N. Lurye have fully admitted their guilt of the charges preferred against them.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 37
After the reading of the indictment,...the accused Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev, Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, Dreitzer, Reingold, Pickel, Olberg, Berman-Yurin, Fritz David, M. Lurye, and N. Lurye pled guilty on all charges.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 40
SMIRNOV SAYS HE WAS ONLY TOLD BY SEDOV/TROTSKY TO COMMIT TERROR
The accused Smirnov, acknowledging his participation in the united center of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc, his personal connection with Trotsky and his meetings with Sedov while abroad in 1931, and also the fact that he maintained connection with Trotsky right up to the time of his arrest in 1933, admitted in 1931 instructions were conveyed to him by Sedov, and confirmed 1932 by Trotsky to organize terror against leaders of the CPSU....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 37
The accused Smirnov, admitting that he belonged to the united center of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite bloc, that he had been in personal communication with Trotsky, and had received Trotsky's instructions to organize terror against leaders of the CPSU and admitting his political responsibility for the activities of the united center, denies only his personal participation in the preparation and execution of terroristic acts.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 40
SMIRNOV DENIES DOING ACTUAL TERROR BUT MANY TESTIFY AGAINST HIM
At the same time, the accused Smirnov categorically denies that he took part in the terrorist activities of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center. However, the accused Smirnov is proved to have participated in the terroristic activities of the united center by the evidence of the accused Mrachkovsky (Vol. 29, pp. 76-84), Dreitzer (Vol. 31, p. 63), Reingold (Vol. 31, pp. 138, 284) Zinoviev (Vol. 12, p. 35), Kamenev (Vol. 15, p. 28), Evdokimov (Vol. 36, pp. 9-10), and Pickel (Vol. 31, p. 78).
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 38
HOLTZMAN ADMITS HAVING BELONGED TO THE BLOC BUT SAYS HE ONLY RELAYED MESSAGES
The accused Holtzman admits having belonged to the Trotskyite-Zinovievite terrorist organization, having been in personal contact with the Trotskyite center abroad, and having brought Trotsky's personal instructions to organize terroristic acts in the USSR. He denies only his personal participation in the preparation of terroristic acts.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 40
MRACHKOVSKY ADMITS HE AND OTHERS ORGANIZED AN ANTI-SOVIET PROGRAM SECRETLY
The accused Mrachkovsky was the man most in the confidence of Trotsky and personally closest to him. In the past he had occupied an important position in the army. From 1923 onwards he had carried on, in conjunction with Trotsky, Trotskyite anti-Soviet work. He had been a member of the leading center of the underground Trotskyite terrorist organization, had worked under the personal direction of Trotsky, from whom he was receiving instructions through Smirnov....
He says that on returning from exile in 1929 he only on paper admitted the correctness of the general line of the Party; actually, however, together with other former members of the opposition, he returned from exile with the perfidious intention of continuing the struggle against the Party. Asked by Comrade Vyshinsky to say definitely to whom he was referring, Mrachkovsky said that he, Mrachkovsky, and also Smirnov and Ter-Vaganyan, had jointly taken the firm decision to organize a further struggle against the Party. Mrachkovsky at and time admits that this counter-revolutionary group had no political platform, that "the platform drawn up in the preceding period of 1925-27 was upset by the fact of correctness of the general line of the Party."
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 40-41
MRACHKOVSKY SAYS HE GOT AN INVISIBLE INK LETTER FROM TROTSKY SAYING TO KILL STALIN
Continuing his testimony, Mrachkovsky states that in December 1934, while in Kazakhstan, he received from Dreitzer a letter of Trotsky's, written in invisible ink,which had approximately the following contents - Dear friend, the task that confronts us today is to accelerate the assassination of Stalin and Voroshilov....
Mrachkovsky emphasizes the fact that he knew Trotsky's handwriting very well and that he had not the slightest doubt that the letter had actually been written by Trotsky. Emphasizing that he stood particularly close to Trotsky, Mrachkovsky states that during the last few years of his work with Trotsky, in 1923-27, no one could get to see Trotsky without him, Mrachkovsky, and also that all Trotsky's correspondence passed through his hands.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 43
DREITZER WAS A TROTSKY BODYGUARD WHO ORGANIZED THE NOV 1927 DEMONSTRATION
...Dreitzer was one of the most prominent Trotskyites. He had been chief of Trotsky's bodyguard. Together with Trotsky, he had organized the counter-revolutionary demonstration on Nov. 7, 1927. When Trotsky was in exile in Alma-Ata, Dreitzer organized the communications between Trotsky and the Moscow Trotskyite center.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 51
DREITZER SAYS THE BLOC WAS UNITED & HAD RECEIVED TERRORISTIC ORDERS FROM TROTSKY
...Dreitzer categorically and emphatically denies that there could be any possibility of halfheartedness in the attitude of any one of the members of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite counter-revolutionary bloc towards terroristic activity.
"There could be no acting on one's own, no orchestra without a conductor among us," stated Dreitzer. "I am surprised at the assertions of Smirnov, who, according to his words, both knew and did not know, spoke and did not speak, acted and did not act. This is not true!"
Relating his terroristic activities in detail Dreitzer says that the Trotskyite section of the counter-revolutionary bloc had received instructions to resort to terrorism against the leaders of the Party and the government from abroad, from Trotsky, and here from Smirnov, Trotsky's deputy in the USSR.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 51
MRACHKOVSKY AND DREITZER SAY SMIRNOV IS LYING WHEN HE DENIES DISCUSSING TERRORISM
Smirnov asserts that he actually did receive in his apartment Dreitzer as an active Trotskyite; however, he allegedly discussed with him, not terrorism but "the general situation in the country."
Mrachkovsky and Dreitzer in reply to this declare: "Smirnov is lying!"
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 53
REINGOLD ADMITS BEING A LEADER OF THE TERRORISTS AND HELPING TO WRITE A PLATFORM
Reingold confirms that he was one of the most active members of the Zinovievite underground counter-revolutionary organization, was all the time in direct contact with Zinoviev and Kamenev, took part in all the secret conferences of the Zinovievites and at one time was invited by Zinoviev and Kamenev to take part in drawing up the platform of the counter-revolutionary organization they were heading....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 54
REINGOLD SAYS THE BLOC WAS FORMED BECAUSE THE GOVT WASN’T GOING TO FALL
Continuing his testimony, Reingold states that in discussing the general political situation, Zinoviev emphasized that the economic position of the Soviet Union had become stronger and that it was absolutely no use talking about collapse. It was necessary to unite all the forces opposed to the present leadership. That is how the way was paved for a bloc with the Trotskyites. The basis for the union of the Trotskyites with the Zinovievites, emphasizes Reingold, was terrorism.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 55
BAKEYEV SAYS HE ONLY KNEW ABOUT PLANS TO KILL STALIN AND KIROV
In his testimony Bakayev says that of all the activities of the terrorist center he was only aware of the decision to assassinate Stalin and Kirov, and that he only learned of preparations having been made for other terroristic acts when he read the indictment.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 61
PICKEL ADMITS WORKING & RECRUITING TO KILL STALIN AND SAID ZINOVIEV WAS IN CHARGE
...Pickel was one of Zinoviev's most trusted men and for many years was in charge of his secretariat. He admits that as an active member of the Moscow terrorist center he was aware of all the principal decisions and terroristic measures of the united center. In the autumn of 1932 Pickel joined the fighting terrorist organization of which Bakayev was a leader, and agreed to take part in the attempt on the life of Comrade Stalin. Pickel corroborates the testimony given by Reingold and Bakayev that Zinoviev directly guided the preparations for this attempt....
Pickel, supplementing Bakayev's testimony, states that in the autumn of 1933 Bogdan made another attempt on the life of Comrade Stalin. In this connection Pickel depicts the atmosphere that prevailed in the terrorist center, the members of which did not hesitate to resort to the most sordid methods to wipe out the traces of their criminal activities.
Pickel admits that Bogdan's suicide was in fact murder by decision of the terrorist center. In this crime a particularly active part was played by Bakayev. Bakayev spent the whole night with Bogdan before the latter committed suicide and persuaded him either to make an attempt on Stalin's life or to commit suicide. Bogdan took his own life and, as he had been instructed, left a note making it appear that he was the victim of the Party cleansing.
Pickel goes on to relate what preparations were made for a terroristic act against Comrade Stalin in 1934. Pickel's part in this was that he put Bakayev in touch with Radin whom Pickel prepared for the carrying out of this terroristic act.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 62-63
WORDS FROM YAKOVLEV’S TESTIMONY
SAYS KAMENEV COMMISSIONED HIM TO CREATE A TERRORIST GROUP WHICH HE DID AND KAMENEV CONFIRMS HIS ALLEGATION
Yakovlev testifies that Karev, who worked with him in the counter-revolutionary group at the Academy of Sciences, had informed him of the following: In the autumn of 1932 the Zinovievites organized a bloc with the Trotskyites. A united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center was set up. The principal method of fighting against the Party and the Soviet government adopted by the center was terrorism, which it was decided to direct against the leaders of the Party and the government, in the first place again Stalin and Kirov.
YAKOVLEV: This was confirmed by Kamenev himself in conversation with me in 1934. In this connection KAMENEV COMMISSIONED ME TO ORGANIZE A TERRORIST GROUP AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. I EXCEPTED THIS COMMISSION....
VYSHINSKY: DID YOU IN TRUST HIM WITH THE TASK OF PREPARING A TERRORISTIC ACT PARALLEL WITH THAT OF THE RUMYANTSEV-KOTOLYNOV GROUP?
KAMENEV: YES.
VYSHINSKY: AND YOU, YAKOVLEV, DO YOU CONFIRM THIS?
YAKOVLEV: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 70
WORDS FROM [WITNESS] SAFONOVA’S TESTIMONY
SAYS SMIRNOV RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY ORDERS TO KILL STALIN; SAYS MRACHKOVSKY DECLARED THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO KILL STALIN & SMIRNOV STRONGLY AGREED;
SAYS SMIRNOV CATEGORICALLY CONFIRMED THAT STALIN MUST BE AND WOULD BE KILLED
Safonova [a witness only] testifies that she was a member of the Trotskyite center and took an active part in the work of that center. She goes on to say that in 1931 Smirnov informed the center of the Trotskyite organization, in the persons of Ter-Vaganyan, Mrachkovsky, and her self, that he had received in Berlin, through Sedov, instructions to adopt terroristic methods of struggle. Smirnov, in conveying these instructions, emphasized that they came from Trotsky.
SAFONOVA: At that same meeting SMIRNOV INFORMED US THAT THE CENTER HAD DECIDED TO ADOPT TERRORISM, AND IN THE FIRST PLACE TO COMMIT A TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN. IN 1932 SMIRNOV RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY DIRECTIONS BROUGHT BY GAVEN. These directions were a direct confirmation of Trotsky's instruction on terrorism previously received by Smirnov through Sedov. These directions were not only a confirmation of those conveyed through Sedov, but were at the same time INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NECESSITY OF HASTENING THE TERRORISTIC ACT AGAINST STALIN....
One day Mrachkovsky, on returning from an official visit to Stalin, related his conversation with Stalin.... In relating his conversation with Stalin, MRACHKOVSKY LINKED UP HIS STORY WITH THE PROSPECT OF OUR FURTHER STRUGGLE AND DECLARED THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO ASSASSINATE STALIN. SMIRNOV STRONGLY BACKED MRACHKOVSKY'S CONCLUSION.
Before my departure for the Amur-Baikal railway construction job in December 1932, I had a conversation with Smirnov about the further work of our organization in connection with the decision on terrorism which had been adopted. SMIRNOV CATEGORICALLY CONFIRMED THAT STALIN MUST BE ASSASSINATED, THAT STALIN WOULD BE ASSASSINATED.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 76-77
EVIDENCE FROM SMIRNOV & WITNESSES PROVES HE WAS A TERRORIST LEADER FOR TROTSKY
The evidence of the accused and of witnesses utterly exposes Smirnov as one of the principal leaders of terrorism against the leaders of a Party and the Soviet government, which Smirnov pursued on the direct instructions of Trotsky.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 78
SMIRNOV ADMITS HE WAS THE PRIMARY CONDUIT FOR TROTSKY’S INSTRUCTIONS
Smirnov persists in his evasions and tries to deny the part he played as the leader of the Trotskyite organization. The court investigation elicits (a) it was on the direct instructions of Smirnov that Ter-Vaganyan negotiated with Zinovievites about the bloc; (b) Mrachkovsky trained terrorist groups on the direct instructions of Smirnov; (c) neither Ter-Vaganyan nor Mrachkovsky gave any instructions to Smirnov, but received instructions from him; (d) direct communication with Trotsky was maintained personally by Smirnov right up to his arrest. Under the weight of all these irrefutable facts Smirnov at last admits that it was he and no one else who was the head of the Trotskyite organization. But the accused makes this confession only after the prosecution has exposed him by absolutely incontrovertible facts.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 82-83
OLBERG WENT TO THE SU TO KILL STALIN IN 1933
The first time Olberg went to the USSR was at the end of March, 1933.... The purpose of the visit was to prepare and carry out the assassination of Comrade Stalin.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 88
WORDS FROM HOLTZMAN’S TESTIMONY
ADMITS BEING IN A SECRET ORGANIZATION UNDER SMIRNOV’S DIRECTION AND BEING A COUNTER-REV AND A DOUBLE-DEALER; SAYS TROTSKY PLAINLY TOLD HIM IT WAS NECESSARY TO KILL STALIN: ADMITS HE KNEW THE TROTS WERE ADOPTING TERROR BUT REMAINED IN THE TROT GROUP
Holtzman was one of the most active members of the Trotskyite counter-revolutionary organization, personally connected with the leader of the Trotskyite center in the USSR - I. N. Smirnov. On Smirnov's instructions he maintained contact with the Trotskyite center abroad.
In 1932 he personally received from Trotsky instructions regarding preparations for terroristic acts against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet government....
VYSHINSKY: I ASK YOU, WERE YOU A SECRET MEMBER OF THE TROTSKYITE ORGANIZATION ACTING UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SMIRNOV?...
HOLTZMAN: YES....
VYSHINSKY: Formally you were in the Party?
HOLTZMAN: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: AT THE SAME TIME YOU WERE A TROTSKYITE?
HOLTZMAN: A TROTSKYITE.
VYSHINSKY: AND....
HOLTZMAN: A COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY.
VYSHINSKY: AND A DOUBLE DEALER?
HOLTZMAN: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 98-99
On arrival in Berlin, testifies Holtzman, he telephoned Sedov and arranged to meet him....
HOLTZMAN: In November I again telephoned Sedov and we met once again. Sedov said to me: "As you are going to the USSR, it would be a good thing if you came with me to Copenhagen where my father is."
VYSHINSKY: That is to say?
HOLTZMAN: That is to say, Trotsky.
VYSHINSKY: Did you go?
HOLTZMAN: I agreed,...
When we arrived Trotsky first of all asked me about the feelings and the attitude of the mass of the Party members towards Stalin....
TROTSKY SAID THAT IT WAS "NECESSARY TO REMOVE STALIN."
VYSHINSKY: WHAT DOES "REMOVE STALIN" MEAN? EXPLAIN IT.
HOLTZMAN:...TROTSKY SAID THAT IF STALIN WERE REMOVED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE TROTSKYITES TO COME INTO POWER AND TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CPSU. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE ONLY MEANS OF REMOVING STALIN WAS TERRORISM.
VYSHINSKY: DID TROTSKY SAY THAT OUTRIGHT?
HOLTZMAN: YES. HE SAID THAT FOR THIS PURPOSE IT WAS NECESSARY TO CHOOSE CADRES OF RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE FIT FOR THIS TASK.
VYSHINSKY: SO TROTSKY PLAINLY TOLD YOU THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL TASK NOW (THAT IS, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1932) WAS TO ASSASSINATE COMRADE STALIN? YOU REMEMBER FOR SURE?
HOLTZMAN: YES.
VYSHINSKY: SO THIS WAS TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTION?
HOLTZMAN: YES. Trotsky could not put it in writing, and so I accepted it in verbal form and communicated the exact sense of it on my arrival in Moscow.
VYSHINSKY: THAT WAS TROTSKY'S VERBAL INSTRUCTION?
HOLTZMAN: YES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 99-101
Under further examination Holtzman tries to evade responsibility, declaring that he did not share Trotsky's point of view about terrorism.
VYSHINSKY:...YOU KNEW THAT THE TROTSKYITES HAD ALREADY TAKEN UP A TERRORISTIC POSITION AND YET YOU CONTINUED TO REMAIN A TROTSKYITE?
HOLTZMAN: YES.
VYSHINSKY: Kept up connections with the Trotskyites?
HOLTZMAN: Yes.
VYSHINSKY: Hence, you continued to be a member of the Trotskyite organization?
HOLTZMAN: Yes.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 101
WORDS FROM N. LURYE’S TESTIMONY
SAYS THE TROTS TRAINED HIM IN TERROR AND TO HATE STALIN AND THE CPSU LEADERS;
OTHER TROTS TOLD THEM THEY HAD RECEIVED TERROR TRAINING ALSO;
SAYS GERMAN FASCIST WEITZ OFFERED HIS TERRORIST SERVICES TO THE TROTS AND THEY ACCEPTED;
ADMITS REPEATEDLY TRYING TO KILL VOROSHILOV;
ADMITS GIVING UP USING A GUN TO KILL VOROSHILOV AND DECIDED TO USE A BOMB;
SAYS HE PLANNED TO KILL ORDJONIKIDZE AND KAGANOVICH BUT M. LURYE TOLD HIM TO KILL ZHDANOV;
ADMITS TRYING BUT FAILING TO KILL ZHDANOV;
He arrived in the USSR from Berlin on the special mission of the Trotskyite organization for the purpose of committing terroristic acts. All his Trotskyite activities from 927 onwards were directed towards sapping the power of the Soviet state.
VYSHINSKY: With whom did you first become intimate when you became a Trotskyite?
N. LURYE: With M. Lurye.
VYSHINSKY: WHEN DID YOUR TERRORISTIC DISPOSITION, INTENTIONS, PLANS ORIGINATE?
N. LURYE: THE TRAINING THE TROTSKYITE ORGANIZATION GAVE ME DURING ALL THOSE YEARS WHICH I SPENT IN THAT ORGANIZATION IN GERMANY IN THE LONG RUN REDUCED ITSELF TO ROUSING HATRED TOWARD STALIN AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CPSU. In the beginning of 1932 M. Lurye said to me that it was time to go to the USSR and carry on terroristic work there. His instruction did not come as a surprise to me. It logically followed from all the preceding work. I arrived in the USSR in April 1932 with the instruction to establish connections with the Trotskyites I had known in Germany and to carry on terroristic work together with them.
...N. Lurye began by establishing connections with the Trotskyites in Moscow, first of all with those whom he had known in Germany: Konstant and Lipschitz.
N. LURYE: I told Konstant about the terroristic instructions I had received from the Trotskyite organization through M. Lurye. Konstant told me it was not news to him. THEY, TOO, HAD TERRORISTIC INSTRUCTIONS AND HAD EVEN TAKEN PRACTICAL STEPS TO CARRY THEM OUT. He told me that they had a terrorist group to which Konstant and Lipschitz, and also a German engineer-architect, Franz Weitz, belonged.
VYSHINSKY: Who is Franz Weitz?
N. LURYE: Franz Weitz was a member of the National-Socialist Party of Germany. He arrived in the USSR on the instructions of Himmler who at that time was chief of the S.S. and subsequently became chief of the Gestapo.
VYSHINSKY: Franz Weitz was his representative?
N. LURYE: Franz Weitz arrived in the USSR on the instructions of Himmler for the purpose of committing terroristic acts.
VYSHINSKY: Where did you learn this?
N. LURYE: The first one to tell me about it was Konstant, but later on Franz Weitz himself told me. I ARRIVED AT THE CONCLUSION THAT SINCE THE TROTSKYITES HAD ADOPTED THE METHOD OF FIGHTING WITH ARMS THIS HAD ITS LOGIC, THAT IS TO SAY, THAT IF A FASCIST OFFERED HIS SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSES OF TERRORISM, THOSE SERVICES SHOULD BE MADE USE OF. I continued my connections with Franz Weitz and worked under his practical guidance.
The fact that a direct agent of the German political police stood at the head of the terrorist group did not in the least disturb N. Lurye and his Trotskyite associates.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 101-103
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: WHEN YOU WERE ENGAGED IN PREPARING THE ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF COMRADE VOROSHILOV YOU FOR A LONG TIME WATCHED THE COMING AND GOING OF COMRADE VOROSHILOV'S AUTOMOBILE? HOW LONG WERE YOU ENGAGED IN PREPARING FOR THE ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF COMRADE VOROSHILOV?
N. LURYE: WE WERE ENGAGED IN IT FROM SEPTEMBER 1932 TO THE SPRING OF 1933.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: JUDGING BY YOUR TESTIMONY YOU FREQUENTLY WENT TO FRUNZE STREET...ARMED WITH REVOLVERS?
N. LURYE: YES.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: ALL THREE OF YOU WERE ARMED?
N. LURYE: YES.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: So that you would have committed the terroristic act had a favorable moment offered itself? Why did you not succeed in doing so?
N. LURYE: We saw Voroshilov's car going down Frunze Street. It was traveling too fast. It was hopeless firing at the fast running car. We decided that it was useless.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: Did you cease watching Comrade Voroshilov's car?
N. LURYE: Yes.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: For what reasons?
N. LURYE: BECAUSE WE BECAME CONVINCED THAT IT WAS USELESS SHOOTING WITH A REVOLVER.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: WHAT DID YOU TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO AFTER THAT?
N. LURYE: TO THE ACQUISITION OF EXPLOSIVES.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: What kind of terroristic act did you intend to commit?
N. LURYE: A terroristic act with the bomb.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: You said that you turned your attention to the acquisition of explosives for the purpose of committing a terroristic act. Against whom?
N. LURYE: Against Voroshilov.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 103-104
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: What instructions on terrorism did M. Lurye give you in 1934, 1935, in 1936?
N. LURYE: I TOLD HIM THAT I INTENDED TO MAKE ATTEMPTS ON THE LIVES OF ORDJONIKIDZE AND KAGANOVICH, BUT LATER, IN JANUARY 1936, HE INSTRUCTED ME TO SHOOT ZHDANOV AT THE FIRST OF MAY DEMONSTRATION IN LENINGRAD....
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: Did you take part in the demonstration?
N. LURYE: Yes.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: Were you armed?
N. LURYE: Yes, with a revolver.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: What type of revolver was it?
N. LURYE: A Browning.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: What size? Medium?
N. LURYE: Yes.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: Did you succeed in getting into the demonstration....?
N. LURYE: Yes.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: WHY DID YOU FAIL TO CARRY OUT THE ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF ZHDANOV?
N. LURYE: WE MARCHED BY, TOO FAR AWAY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 104-105
STATEMENT BY COMRADE VYSHINSKY
SAYS HE STARTED AN INVESTIGATION AGAINST TOMSKY, BUKHARIN, RYKOV, UGLANOV, RADEK, PYATAKOV, SEREBRYAKOV, AND SOKOLNIKOV WHO ARE IMPLICATED IN THIS CASE
At preceding sessions some of the accused (Kamenev, Zinoviev, and Reingold) in their testimony referred to Tomsky, Bukharin, Rykov, Uglanov, Radek, Pyatakov, Serebryakov, and Sokolnikov as being to a greater or lesser degree involved in the criminal counter-revolutionary activities for which the accused in the present case are being tried. I consider it necessary to inform the Court that yesterday I gave orders to institute an investigation of these statements....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 115
SPEECH FOR THE PROSECUTION BY VYSHINSKY
SAYS THE OPPOSITION HAD NO POLITICAL PROGRAM OTHER THAN MURDER;
OPPOSITION CAN’T RECONCILE MARXISM WITH TERRORISM;
KAMENEV ADMITS THEY RESORTED TO TERROR BECAUSE STALIN WAS WINNING AND THERE WAS NO OTHER PATH;
TERROR WAS THE BASIS OF THE TROT-ZINOVIEV UNION;
During the preceding days of the trial these gentlemen tried to strike a "noble" attitude. They, or at all events their leaders, spoke about their terroristic plot with a certain pose; they sought and expected a political evaluation of their crimes, they talked about political struggle, about some kind of political agreements with some kind of alleged political parties. And although they admitted that in reality they had no political platform, that they did not even feel the need to draw up a political platform because, on their own admission, their platform could be written at one sitting, in a couple of hours, nevertheless, they tried to pose as genuine political figures....
These gentlemen admitted that they had no program; but they did have some sort of a "program." They had a program both in home and foreign policy. In their home policy their program could be put in one word - to murder. It is true that they prefer to speak not of murder but of terror. But we must call things by their proper names. These gentlemen chose murder as a means of fighting for power. They were compelled to admit this here themselves, cynically and openly.
How did these gentlemen reconcile their alleged Marx's him with the preaching of terror and terroristic activity? In no wise! And yet these people called themselves Marxists at one time! Probably the accused Zinoviev still considers himself a Marxist. He said here that Marxism could not be reconciled with terrorism; but Marxism can explain how they came to terrorism.
During this trial I asked the accused Reingold how they reconciled Marxism with the preaching of terror and terroristic activities, and he said: "In 1932, Zinoviev, in Kamenev's apartment, in the presence of a number of members of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center, argued in favor of resorting to terror as follows: although terror is incompatible with Marxism, at the present moment these considerations must be abandoned. There are no other methods available of fighting the leaders of the Party and the government at the present time. Stalin combines in himself all the strength and firmness of the Party leadership. Therefore Stalin must be put out of the way in the first place." Here you have a reply, frankly cynical, insolent, but absolutely logical. Here you have the sum and substance of Zinoviev's new "philosophy of the epoch."
Reingold said: "Kamenev enlarged on this theory and said that the former methods of fighting, namely, attempts to win the masses through combinations with the leaders of the Rightists, and banking on economic difficulties, have failed. That is why the only method of struggle available is terrorism, terroristic acts against Stalin and his closest comrades-in-arms, Voroshilov, Kaganovich, Ordjonikidze, Kossior, Postyshev, and Zhdanov."...
This is frank and insolent, but at the same time it is logical...from the point of view of the logic of our enemy who is fighting against the land of socialism.
Without the masses, against the masses, but for power, power at all costs, thirst for personal power - this is the whole ideology of the gang that is now in the dock.
The whole cynical unprincipledness of these people was frankly avowed here by Kamenev.... Kamenev said: "I became convinced that the policy of the Party, the policy of its leadership, had been victorious in the only sense in which the political victory in the land of socialism is possible, that this policy was recognized by the masses of the toilers."
This statement is remarkable for its lack of principle and for its insolent cynicism: just because "the policy of the Party had been victorious," they fought against its leaders.
Kamenev said: "Our banking on the possibility of a split in the Party also proved groundless. Two paths remained: either honestly and completely to put a stop to the struggle against the Party, or to continue the struggle, but without any hope of obtaining any mass support whatsoever, without a political platform, without a banner, that is to say, by means of individual terror. We chose the second path."... In this we were guided by our boundless hatred of the leaders of the Party and the country, and by a thirst for power, with which we were once closely associated and from which we were cast aside by the course of historical development."
The accused Zinoviev said: "At the end of 1932 it became evident that our hopes had proved false...the fact was that the general line of the Party was winning. Here the complete lack of principle and ideals which brought us to the bare and unprincipled struggle for power became strikingly apparent." (Vol. 12, p. 34)
...Formerly, if only out of shame, they gave as grounds for their struggle against the leaders of the Soviet government and the Party, shortcomings, defects, and difficulties. Now they have already thrown off this mask. Now they admit that they had become convinced that socialism in our country was victorious. They came to terrorism, to murder, because their position had become hopeless, because they realized that they were isolated from power, from the working class. They came to terrorism because of the complete absence of favorable prospects for them in the fight for power by other methods and by other means.
...Terrorism was the real basis on which the Trotskyites and Zinovievites united. Not all of them want to admit that.
That is why Smirnov wriggled so much here. He admits that he was a member of the center, he admits this center had adopted a terroristic line of struggle, he admits that he himself received from Trotsky the instructions about this terroristic struggle. But at the same time he tries by every means in his power to prove that he, Smirnov personally, did not adopt terror, did not agree with it, and he even went so far as to say that he had left the Trotskyite-Zinovievite terrorist center or bloc.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 122-126
STATEMENT BY VYSHINSKY REGARDING TROTSKY, ZINOVIEV, KAMENEV
MRACHKOVSKY, FRITZ DAVID, BERMAN-YURIN, TER-VAGANYAN; SAFONOVA SAYS TROTSKY SAID THE PRINCIPAL TASK WAS TO KILL STALIN AND THE OTHER LEADERS;
TROTSKY ADVOCATED A DEFEATIST FOREIGN POLICY;
TROTSKY AND ZINOVIEV TOLD THEIR PEOPLE TO DENY ALL CONNECTIONS TO TERRORISTS;
ZINOVIEV RECANTS AND VOWS PARTY LOYALTY WHILE PLANNING TO KILL STALIN;
THE 1ST ZINOVIEV/KAMENEV TRIAL GAVE LIGHT SENTENCES BECAUSE THEIR TRUE INVOLVEMENT WAS NOT KNOWN;
ZINOVIEV SENT BAKAYEV TO LENINGRAD TO SEE WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO HASTEN THE KILLING;
SMIRNOV ORGANIZED THE TROTS EVEN WHILE IN PRISON;
SMIRNOV IS TRYING TO SAY HE OPPOSED KILLING, WAS MERELY RELAYING INSTRUCTIONS, AND LEFT THE TROT ORGANIZATION; BOGDAN WAS TOLD TO COMMIT SUICIDE OR CARRY OUT A TERRORIST ACT AND HE WAS MURDERED
Terror was the basis of all their activities, it was the basis of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite union. This was quite unanimously testified to by people who were not directly connected with each other in their underground work. This was not only admitted here by Zinoviev and Kamenev, Smirnov and Ter-Vaganyan, Reingold and Pickel; it was stated also by Berman-Yurin, Fritz David, and Olberg, that...paid agent of Trotsky and simultaneously of the German secret police - the Gestapo.... I called it in the indictment, an association of political assassins.
Mrachkovsky said, "Hopes for the collapse of the policy of the Party must be regarded as doomed. The methods of struggle applied up to now have not produced positive results. Only one path of struggle remained, and that was the path of removing by violence the leaders of the Party and the government.... THE PRINCIPAL TASK IS TO PUT STALIN AND THE OTHER LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY."
...IN MARCH 1932, IN A FIT OF COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY FURY, TROTSKY BURST OUT IN AN OPEN LETTER WITH AN APPEAL TO "PUT STALIN OUT OF THE WAY" (THIS LETTER WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE DOUBLE WALLS OF HOLTZMAN'S SUIT CASE AND FIGURED AS AN EXHIBIT IN THIS CASE).
...FRITZ DAVID STATED THAT IN NOVEMBER 1932 HE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH TROTSKY DURING WHICH TROTSKY SAID LITERALLY THE FOLLOWING: "NOW THERE IS NO OTHER WAY OUT EXCEPT THE REMOVAL BY VIOLENCE OF STALIN AND HIS ADHERENTS. TERROR AGAINST STALIN - THAT IS THE REVOLUTIONARY TASK. WHOEVER IS A REVOLUTIONARY - HIS HAND WILL NOT TREMBLE." (Vol. 8, p. 62)
BERMAN-YURIN TESTIFIED HERE THAT TROTSKY SYSTEMATICALLY AND REPEATEDLY SAID: "UNTIL STALIN IS REMOVED BY VIOLENCE, THERE WILL BE NO POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE POLICY OF THE PARTY; IN THE FIGHT AGAINST STALIN WE MUST NOT HESITATE TO ADOPT EXTREME MEASURES - STALIN MUST BE PHYSICALLY DESTROYED."
...Even Smirnov, who stubbornly denied that he took any part in the terroristic activities of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center, could not help admitting that he personally had received the directions on individual terror against the leaders of the Soviet government and the CPSU in 1931 from Trotsky's son, Sedov, that the directions on terror were confirmed by Trotsky in 1932 in the instructions brought from abroad by Gaven and conveyed to Smirnov. Smirnov tried to alleviate the gravity of his own position by stating that the instruction on terror which he had received from Sedov was Sedov's personal attitude. But this is a worthless explanation. It is obvious to everyone that Sedov was no authority whatever for Smirnov. Ter-Vaganyan and Mrachkovsky corroborated this here when they said that had they thought that the direction on terror came from Sedov they would have spat upon it with supreme contempt.
THE ACCUSED TER-VAGANYAN, ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORGANIZERS OF THE UNITED CENTER, CONFIRMED THAT SMIRNOV, WHILE ABROAD, REALLY DID RECEIVE FROM TROTSKY INSTRUCTIONS TO ADOPT TERROR.
Finally, you heard the witness Safonova whose confrontation with the accused has probably left a deep impression upon the memories of everyone present in the court. At this confrontation, SAFONOVA. FULLY CONFIRMED THAT SMIRNOV RECEIVED FROM TROTSKY INSTRUCTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL TERROR THROUGH SEDOV IN 1931, AND LATER THROUGH GAVEN.
ON THE BASIS OF THESE ACTS WE CAN TAKE IT AS ABSOLUTELY ESTABLISHED THAT IT WAS PRECISELY TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM THAT SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED CENTER....
The main thing in this trial is that they transformed their counter-revolutionary thoughts into counter-revolutionary deeds; they not only talk about shooting, they shoot, shoot and kill!
That is the main thing. They killed Comrade Kirov, they were getting ready to kill comrades Stalin, Voroshilov, Kaganovich, Ordjonikidze, Zhdanov, Kossior, and Postyshev. This is what we are trying these people for, these organizers of secret murder, these certified murderers.
What was their foreign policy?
Trotsky's letter received by Dreitzer contained three brief points: 1) put Stalin and Voroshilov out of the way; 2) unfold work of organizing nuclei in the Army; 3) in the event of war, take advantage of every setback and possible confusion to seize the leadership.
This is avowed banking on defeat.
Berman-Yurin stated: "In connection with the international situation at that time Trotsky told me and that the task of demoralizing our military forces was of particular importance, for in the event of a war against the Soviet Union large masses would be called up to the army. Trotsky said to me literally the following, 'We will defend the Soviet Union provided the Stalin leadership is overthrown'." (Vol. 4, p. 100)
Such was their foreign policy!
Perhaps this is all an invention? Perhaps Fritz David and Berman-Yurin just gave rein to their fantasy? Perhaps this is all a pack of lies, an invention, the irresponsible chatter of the accused who are trying to say as much as they can against the others in order to mitigate their own ultimate fate? No! This is not an invention, not fantasy! It is the truth! Who does not know that Trotsky, together with the accused Kamenev and Zinoviev now in the dock, several years ago proclaimed the "Clemenceau thesis," that they said that it was necessary, in the event of war, to wait until the enemy had got within a distance of 80 kilometers of Moscow and then to rise in arms against the Soviet government, to overthrow it. This is an historical fact. It cannot be denied. And that is why it must be admitted that the evidence given by Berman-Yurin and Fritz David in this connection corresponds to the truth.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 126-131
"The main thing during an investigation," said Zinoviev in instructing his accomplices, "is to deny all connection with the organization, arguing that terror is incompatible with the views of Bolsheviks-Marxists." (Vol. 27, p. 112)
Trotsky also recommended that in the event of a terroristic act being committed, they should disassociate themselves from the Trotskyite organization and take up a position analogous to that taken by the Central Committee of the Socialist-Revolutionaries toward Madam Kaplan who shot Lenin. We know what that means. We remember that after Kaplan fired her treacherous bullet at Lenin, the Central Committee of the Socialist-Revolutionaries issued a leaflet in which they categorically declared that they had nothing to do with this terroristic act. Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev adopted the same tactics.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 132
...Zinoviev sent a letter of repentance to the Central Committee. In this letter dated May 8, 1933, that is to say, when the preparations for terroristic acts were at their height, Zinoviev not only renounced all his past mistakes, but hypocritically vowed his loyalty to socialism and to the Party.
During the very days in which he was preparing to strike a treacherous blow at the very heart of the Party, preparing a terroristic act against Comrade Stalin, this criminal...ended his letter with the following words:
"I ask you to believe that I am speaking the truth and nothing but the truth. I ask you to restore me to the ranks of the Party and to give me an opportunity of working for the common cause. I give my word as a revolutionary that I will be the most devoted member of the Party, and will do all I possibly can at least to some extent to atone for my guilt before the Party and its Central Committee."
...And in that very summer of 1933, Zinoviev instructs Bakayev to start the practical realization of measures of terrorism.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 133-134
An organization existed. An underground, counter-revolutionary, terrorist group existed. Existed and functioned. However much Smirnov may try to deny this here, he will not succeed. The facts are two strong, the facts are too numerous....
In January 1935 we tried the Moscow center in connection with the trial of the Leningrad center which took place a little before that, about two weeks before, and as a result of which Nikolayev, Kotolynov, Rumyantsev, Sossitsky and a number of others were convicted and shot. At that time we did not yet know who were the real authors, instigators, and participants in this monstrous crime. But we were on the right track. The investigation directed by the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs proceeded along the true and correct trail of exposing the real organizers of this crime, although the amount of evidence available at that time did not enable us to make a direct charge against Kamenev, Zinoviev, Evdokimov, and Bakayev of organizing this murder, of guiding this murder, of committing this murder.
The verdict in the case of the so-called Moscow center in which Kamenev, Zinoviev, Evdokimov and several others played the principal roles merely said in regard to the role they played that they had fanned the terrorist sentiments of their accomplices, that they had created the objective soil upon which this crime inevitably had to grow up and did grow up.
Being absolutely objective, the investigating and prosecuting authorities did not then charge Kamenev, Zinoviev, Evdokimov, and Bakayev with directly instigating, directly organizing this murder....
In conformity with this Kamenev, Zinoviev, Evdokimov, and Bakayev were given in the Moscow center case a relatively mild sentence - only deprivation of liberty.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 141-142
Zinoviev sent Bakayev to Leningrad to establish contacts with the Nikolayev-Kotolynov group and to investigate how Nikolayev, Kotolynov, and others were preparing to commit the crime.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 145
Zinoviev's choice fell on Bakayev because Bakayev was most closely connected with Levin, who was the representative of the Zinovievites in Leningrad, who was the leader of the Leningrad terrorist underground organization, as he himself admitted before the Military Collegium, last year.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 146
I know that in his defense Smirnov will argue that he had left the center. Smirnov will say: "I did not do anything, I was in prison." A naive assertion! Smirnov was in prison from January 1, 1933, BUT WE KNOW THAT WHILE IN PRISON SMIRNOV ORGANIZED CONTACTS WITH HIS TROTSKYITES, for a code was discovered by means of which Smirnov, while in prison, communicated with his companions outside. This proves that communication existed and Smirnov cannot deny this.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 152-153
The most persistent in his denials is Smirnov. He pleaded guilty only to being the leader of the Trotskyite underground counter-revolutionary center.... It was no accident that Zinoviev and Kamenev regarded him as Trotsky's representative, as Trotsky's deputy, as the actual leader of the whole Trotskyite underground organization....
I do not know what Smirnov is going to say in his last plea; but I think that on the basis of the material of the primary investigation and of the material of the court investigation I have every ground for declaring the following: 1) the accused Smirnov has confessed that for a number of years he was the actual leader of the Trotskyite underground organization; 2) he has confessed that he was Trotsky's representative and deputy in the USSR; 3) he has confessed that he was in Berlin in 1931 and there met Sedov; and 4) he has confessed that Sedov informed him of the terroristic task and gave the terroristic directions.
It is true that Smirnov denies that these were Trotsky's directions. He says that this was Sedov's "personal opinion." Nevertheless, on returning to the USSR, he considered it necessary to communicate Sedov's "personal opinion" to his companions in the underground organization....
We asked him: Where is the logic of this? If this was Sedov's personal opinion, and moreover, an opinion with which Smirnov, as he asserted, did not agree, why communicate it to the other members of the underground organization? Communicate it and not say that he did not agree with it? All his companions in the counter-revolutionary underground organization declare that he did not even hint at his disagreement with this line. Under these circumstances, what can we regard as established? Was there a meeting with Sedov in 1931? There was. Is Sedov - the son of Trotsky - his closest and first assistant in all his political activities? He is. During this meeting, did Sedov talk to Smirnov? He did. Smirnov admits this. Did they talk about terror? Yes, they talked about terror. Smirnov admits this too.... If Smirnov understood his conversation with Sedov not as an instruction, then there was no need for him to communicate it to his colleagues in his underground group....
...And if he says that in 1931 he did not accept what Sedov said as an instruction, but took it merely as Sedov's personal opinion, in 1932, however, he received direct instructions from Trotsky through Gaven. At that time he could no longer say that this was somebody's "personal opinion," for even if it really was a "personal" position, it was the position of Trotsky!...
IN 1932 YOU RECEIVED TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTION THROUGH GAVEN. TROTSKY PLAINLY SAID: TERROR; PUT STALIN OUT OF THE WAY; KILL VOROSHILOV; KILL THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT. You, Smirnov, received this construction. You say: I received it, but did not accept it. If you did not accept it,...you could not but break with the Trotskyite organization. You understood this, and that is why you say - I broke, I left. But whom did you tell that you had left? You told no one. Mrachkovsky did not know about it; Ter-Vaganyan did not know about it, and even Safonova did not know about it. You did not tell anyone! No one knew!
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 153-156
...I merely emphasize once again that none other than Bakayev was intended for the post of chairman of the 0GPU. Zinoviev and Kamenev did not exclude the possibility that the 0GPU was in possession of the threads of the plot that they were hatching against the state, and, therefore, they considered it to be one of their most important tasks to appoint Bakayev chairman of the 0GPU. He was to obtain possession of all these threads and then destroy them, as well as the very people who carried out Zinoviev's and Kamenev's instructions.
Kamenev and Zinoviev do not deny the first part of this, but they deny the second part. That second part is too ghastly, and Zinoviev said it was taken from Jules Vern. But do we not know that there have been such examples in history? Do we not know certain neighboring states in which such procedure has been applied, where participants in a plot were physically exterminated by the hand of the organizers of the plot, as was the case with Roehm and his henchman?...
Zinoviev and Kamenev call this fantastic tales from the Arabian Nights. But, by your leave, what about the murder of Zinoviev's secretary Bogdan? What is that? A tale? Zinoviev could not say anything about that; but Reingold revealed it and Pickel confirmed it.
Zinoviev recommended Bogdan to Bakayev as a suitable person to commit terroristic acts.
Reingold said it, Pickel confirmed it, but Bakayev vigorously denies it and tries to escape from it. But it is a fact which nobody can escape. Reingold and Pickel have proved that Bogdan's "suicide" was really murder. It was done by Bakayev on the instructions of the united center! "You are hesitating to carry out the instructions of our united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center? Kill yourself or else we will kill you." That is what Bakayev said to Bogdan, and Bogdan gave way.
Zinoviev and Kamenev tried to depict Bogdan's suicide as the fate of a "victim" of our Soviet regime. But you yourselves drove Bogdan to suicide by confronting him with the dilemma: either to carry out a terroristic act or to commit suicide.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 161-162
LAST PLEA OF MRACHKOVSKY
In 1923 I became a Trotskyite. I took a despicable path, the path of deception of the Party.... I am a counter-revolutionary....
I did not asked for mitigation of my punishment. I do not want that. I want to be believed that during the investigation and in Court I told the whole truth. I want to depart from life without carrying any filth with me.
WHY DID I TAKE THE COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY PATH? MY CONNECTION WITH TROTSKY - THAT IS WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THIS; IT IS FROM THAT TIME ON THAT I BEGAN TO DECEIVE THE PARTY, TO DECEIVE ITS LEADERS. Some may say: 'the Party gave no help; it might have been possible perhaps to wrest the fellow from counter-revolution and save him, but the Party took no measures.' That would not be true. The Party did all it could to tear me away from counter-revolution. The Party helped me and helped me a great deal.
I DEPART AS A TRAITOR TO MY PARTY, AS A TRAITOR WHO SHOULD BE SHOT. All I ask is that I be believed when I say that during the investigation I spat out all this vomit.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 165-166
LAST PLEA OF EVDOKIMOV
Who will believe a single word of ours? WHO WILL BELIEVE US, WHO PLAYED SO DETESTABLE A COMEDY AT THE FRESH GRAVE OF KIROV WHOM WE HAD KILLED; WHO WILL BELIEVE US, WHO ONLY BY ACCIDENT, NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF OUR OWN, DID NOT BECOME THE ASSASSINS OF STALIN AND OTHER LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE? WHO WILL BELIEVE US, WHO ARE FACING THE COURT AS A COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY GANG OF BANDITS, AS ALLIES OF FASCISM, OF THE GESTAPO?...
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE FASCISTS IS VERY MUCH IN OUR DISFAVOR. FASCISM OPENLY AND FRANKLY INSCRIBED ON ITS BANNER: 'DEATH TO COMMUNISM.' ON OUR LIPS WE HAD ALL THE TIME 'LONG LIVE COMMUNISM'; WHEREAS BY OUR DEEDS WE WERE FIGHTING SOCIALISM VIGOROUSLY IN THE USSR. IN WORDS - 'LONG LIVE THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION.' IN DEEDS - PREPARATION FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE POLITBURO, ONE OF WHOM WE DID KILL. In words - 'Down with imperialism'; in deeds - banking on the defeat of the USSR in the struggle against international imperialism.
Trotsky is not with us here in the dock because he is abroad. He has two perspectives before him: either to disappear immediately and without a trace, as Azef did, not only from the political arena, but from the arena of life in general and go into oblivion, hide behind some false name as Azef did - or else, at some time, face a proletarian court.
I don't consider it possible to plead for clemency. OUR CRIMES AGAINST THE PROLETARIAN STATE AND AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT ARE TOO GREAT TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO EXPECT CLEMENCY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 166-167
LAST PLEA OF DREITZER
The political importance and the past of each of us were not the same. BUT HAVING BECOME ASSASSINS, WE HAVE ALL BECOME EQUALS HERE. I, AT ANY RATE, AM ONE OF THOSE WHO HAS NO RIGHT TO EXPECT NOR TO ASK FOR MERCY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 167
LAST PLEA OF REINGOLD
Whatever our fate may be we have been already shot politically.... I AND THE WHOLE OF THE TERRORIST TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE ORGANIZATION SITTING HERE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED BY THIS TRIAL AS THE SHOCK TROOP, AS A WHITE-GUARD, FASCIST SHOCK TROOP, OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY BOURGEOISIE.
The circle has closed. It is over with the political masquerade; it is over with the shams of oppositions, discussions, and platforms. OPPOSITION WAS SUPERSEDED BY CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE STATE; DISCUSSIONS AND PLATFORMS WERE SUPERSEDED BY BULLETS AND BOMBS....
I FULLY ADMITTED MY GUILT. IT IS NOT FOR ME TO PLEAD FOR MERCY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 167
LAST PLEA OF BAKAYEV
I AM GUILTY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV. I TOOK A DIRECT PART IN THE PREPARATION OF OTHER TERRORISTIC ACTS AGAINST THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT. I AM PREPARED TO BEAR FULL RESPONSIBILITY. WE TROTSKYITES AND ZINOVIEVITES NOT ONLY WORKED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY BOURGEOISIE, WE ALSO WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH THE AGENTS OF THE MOST BITTER ENEMY OF THE WORKING-CLASS, FASCISM.
THE FACTS WHICH WERE REVEALED BEFORE THIS COURT SHOW TO THE WHOLE WORLD THAT THE ORGANIZER OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY TERRORIST BLOC, IT'S MOVING SPIRIT, IS TROTSKY....
Bakayev turns to Zinoviev and accuses him of not being frank even at this trial.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 167-168
LAST PLEA OF PICKEL
ONLY ONE CONCLUSION CAN BE DRAWN. WE REPRESENT A MOST BRUTAL GANG OF CRIMINALS WHO ARE NOTHING MORE NOR LESS THAN A DETACHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL FASCISM. TROTSKY, ZINOVIEV, AND KAMENEV WERE OUR BANNER. TO THIS BANNER WERE DRAWN NOT ONLY WE, THE DREGS OF THE LAND OF SOVIETS, BUT ALSO SPIES, AND AGENTS OF FOREIGN STATES AND THOSE SENT HERE FOR DIVERSIVE ACTIVITIES.
THE LAST EIGHT YEARS OF MY LIFE HAVE BEEN YEARS OF BASENESS, YEARS OF TERRIBLE, NIGHTMARISH DEEDS. I MUST BEAR MY DESERVED PUNISHMENT.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 168
LAST PLEA OF KAMENEV
I TOGETHER WITH ZINOVIEV AND TROTSKY WAS THE ORGANIZER AND LEADER OF A TERRORIST PLOT WHICH PLANNED AND PREPARED A NUMBER OF TERRORISTIC ATTEMPTS ON THE LIVES OF THE LEADERS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PARTY OF OUR COUNTRY, AND WHICH CARRIED OUT THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV.
FOR 10 YEARS, IF NOT MORE, I WAGED A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PARTY, AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LAND OF SOVIETS, AND AGAINST STALIN PERSONALLY. IN THIS STRUGGLE, IT SEEMS TO ME, I UTILIZED EVERY WEAPON IN THE POLITICAL ARSENAL KNOWN TO ME - OPEN POLITICAL DISCUSSION, ATTEMPTS TO PENETRATE INTO FACTORIES AND WORKS, ILLEGAL LEAFLETS, SECRET PRINTING PRESSES, DECEPTION OF THE PARTY, THE ORGANIZATION OF STREET DEMONSTRATIONS, CONSPIRACY, AND, FINALLY, TERRORISM.
I ONCE STUDIED THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL MOVEMENTS AND I CANNOT REMEMBER ANY FORM OF POLITICAL STRUGGLE THAT WE DID NOT USE DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE PROLETARIAN REVOLUTION ALLOWED US A PERIOD OF TIME FOR OUR POLITICAL STRUGGLE WHICH NO OTHER REVOLUTION GAVE ITS ENEMIES. THE BOURGEOIS REVOLUTION OF THE 18TH-CENTURY GAVE ITS ENEMIES WEEKS AND DAYS, AND THEN DESTROYED THEM. THE PROLETARIAN REVOLUTION GAVE US 10 YEARS IN WHICH TO REFORM AND TO REALIZE THAT WE WERE IN ERROR. BUT WE DID NOT DO THAT. THREE TIMES WAS I REINSTATED IN THE PARTY. I WAS RECALLED FROM EXILE MERELY ON THE STRENGTH OF MY PERSONAL STATEMENT. AFTER ALL THE MISTAKES I HAD COMMITTED I WAS ENTRUSTED WITH RESPONSIBLE MISSIONS AND POSTS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM FACING A PROLETARIAN COURT ON THE CHARGE OF TERRORISTIC INTENTIONS, DESIGNS, AND ACTIONS.
TWICE MY LIFE WAS SPARED. BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO EVERYTHING, THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE MAGNANIMITY OF THE PROLETARIAT, AND THAT LIMIT WE HAVE REACHED. I ASK MYSELF, IS IT AN ACCIDENT THAT ALONGSIDE OF MYSELF, ZINOVIEV, EVDOKIMOV, BAKAYEV, AND MRACHKOVSKY ARE SITTING EMISSARIES OF FOREIGN SECRET-POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PEOPLE WITH FALSE PASSPORTS, WITH DUBIOUS BIOGRAPHIES AND UNDOUBTEDLY CONNECTIONS WITH THE GESTAPO. NO! IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE SITTING HERE SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE AGENTS OF FOREIGN SECRET-POLICE DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE OUR WEAPONS WERE THE SAME....
THUS WE SERVED FASCISM, THUS WE ORGANIZED COUNTER-REVOLUTION AGAINST SOCIALISM, PREPARED, PAVED THE WAY FOR THE INTERVENTIONISTS. SUCH WAS THE PATH WE TOOK, AND SUCH WAS THE PIT OF CONTEMPTIBLE TREACHERY AND ALL THAT IS LOATHSOME INTO WHICH WE HAVE FALLEN.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 169-170
LAST PLEA OF ZINOVIEV
I ADMIT THAT I AM FULLY AND COMPLETELY GUILTY OF HAVING BEEN AN ORGANIZER OF THE TROTSKYITE-ZINOVIEVITE BLOC, SECOND ONLY TO TROTSKY, THE BLOC WHICH SET ITSELF THE AIM OF ASSASSINATING STALIN, VOROSHILOV, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER LEADERS OF THE PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT. I PLEAD GUILTY TO HAVING BEEN THE PRINCIPAL ORGANIZER OF THE ASSASSINATION OF KIROV.
The Party saw where we were going and warned us. In one of his speeches Stalin pointed out that tendencies may arise among the Opposition to impose its will upon the Party by violence. At one of the conferences held before the 14th Congress of the Party, Dzerzhinsky called us Kronstadtists. Stalin, Voroshilov, Ordjonikidze, Dzerzhinsky, and Mikoyan did all we could to persuade us, to save us. Scores of times they said to us: you may do enormous harm to the Party and the Soviet government, and you yourselves will perish in doing so. But we did not heed these warnings. WE ENTERED INTO AN ALLIANCE WITH TROTSKY. WE FILLED THE PLACE OF THE MENSHEVIKS, SOCIALIST-REVOLUTIONARIES, AND WHITEGUARDS WHO COULD NOT COME OUT OPENLY IN OUR COUNTRY. WE TOOK THE PLACE OF THE TERRORISM OF THE SOCIALIST-REVOLUTIONARIES. NOT THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY TERRORISM WHICH WAS DIRECTED AGAINST THE AUTOCRACY, BUT THE RIGHT SOCIALIST-REVOLUTIONARIES' TERRORISM OF THE PERIOD OF THE CIVIL WAR, WHEN THE SOCIALIST-REVOLUTIONARIES SHOT AT LENIN.
MY DEFECTIVE BOLSHEVISM BECAME TRANSFORMED INTO ANTI-BOLSHEVISM, AND THROUGH TROTSKYISM I ARRIVED AT FASCISM. TROTSKYISM IS A VARIETY OF FASCISM, AND ZINOVIEVISM IS A VARIETY OF TROTSKYISM.
Believe me, citizens judges, if I say that I suffered the greatest punishment, greater than anything that awaits me, when I heard the testimony of N. Lurye and the testimony of Olberg. I felt and understood that my name will be associated with the names of those who stood beside me. On my right hand Olberg, on my left - N. Lurye....
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 170-171
LAST PLEA OF SMIRNOV
I returned to the Party in 1929-30, and the Party did all it could to help me get on the right track. But I was unable to justify its confidence.
...in 1931 he resumed the fight against the Party leadership.
THIS WAS THE MISTAKE I MADE, WHICH LATER GREW INTO A CRIME. IT INDUCED ME TO RESUME CONTACT WITH TROTSKY, IT INDUCED ME TO SEEK CONNECTIONS WITH THE ZINOVIEVITE GROUP, IT BROUGHT ME INTO A BLOC WITH THE GROUP OF ZINOVIEVITES, INTO RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM FROM TROTSKY THROUGH GAVEN IN NOVEMBER 1932, IT BROUGHT ME TO TERRORISM. I COMMUNICATED TROTSKY'S INSTRUCTIONS ON TERRORISM TO THE BLOC TO WHICH I BELONGED AS A MEMBER OF THE CENTER....
...Trotsky, who sends direction and instructions on terrorism, and regards our state as a fascist state, is an enemy; he is on the other side of the barricades; he must be fought.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 171-172
LAST PLEA OF OLBERG
MY ENTIRE POLITICAL OUTLOOK TOOK SHAPE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TROTSKY AND TROTSKYISM. FOLLOWING TROTSKY, I SHRANK NEITHER FROM TERRORISM NOR FROM AGREEMENTS WITH THE FASCISTS. The aims of the Trotskyite counter-revolutionary organization and the hopelessness of these aims became particularly clear to me at this trial during which I saw, quite distinctly, how pitiful were the leaders of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite counter-revolution who led us, the young ones, along the path of terroristic struggle,... I ASK THE SUPREME COURT TO GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRYING AT LEAST TO SOME EXTENT TO ATONE FOR MY MONSTROUS CRIMES.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 12
LAST PLEA OF BERMAN-YURIN
IN MY LAST PLEA I DO NOT WANT TO DEFEND MYSELF BY ANY ARGUMENTS. THERE ARE NO SUCH ARGUMENTS. I REPENTED, BUT TOO LATE. YESTERDAY, IN HIS SPEECH FOR THE PROSECUTION, THE CITIZEN STATE PROSECUTOR DREW THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF MY CRIMES. AND THE PROLETARIAN STATE WILL DEAL WITH ME AS I DESERVE. IT IS TOO LATE FOR CONTRITION.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 172
LAST PLEA OF HOLTZMAN
HERE IN THE DOCK BESIDE ME, IS A GANG OF MURDERERS, NOT ONLY MURDERERS, BUT FASCIST MURDERERS. I DO NOT ASK FOR MERCY.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 172
LAST PLEA OF N. LURYE
MY CRIME IS CLEAR, IT HAS BEEN PROVED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I MIGHT STILL SAY IN MY DEFENSE. IN MY LAST PLEA I CAN ONLY EXPRESS REGRET FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE...BUT MY REGRET COMES TOO LATE.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 172
LAST PLEA OF M. LURYE
I did not conceal anything, I cannot be reproached for that. The State Prosecutor demanded that I be sternly punished. But can my crime be compared with the crime of my chief?
M. Lurye pleads mitigating circumstances.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 172
LAST PLEA OF TER-VAGANYAN
I AM CRUSHED BY THE WEIGHT OF ALL THAT WAS REVEALED HERE. I am crushed by the speech of the State Prosecutor.
IT IS VERY HARD TO BEAR WHEN, BY THE WHOLE COURSE OF ONE'S CRIME, ONE FINDS ONESELF IN THE POSITION OF AN ENEMY, OF A FASCIST BEING TRIED BY A PROLETARIAN COURT.... I would like to have the opportunity of exerting every effort to fill the abyss, the chasm, which separates me from my former comrades.
I BOW MY HEAD IN GUILT BEFORE THE COURT AND SAY: WHATEVER YOUR DECISION MAY BE, HOWEVER STERN YOUR VERDICT, I ACCEPT IT AS DESERVED.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 173
LAST PLEA OF FRITZ DAVID
I WANT TO ASSURE THE PROLETARIAN COURT THAT I CURSE TROTSKY. I CURSE THAT MAN WHO RUINED MY LIFE AND PUSHED ME INTO HEINOUS CRIME.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 173
SUMMATION OF THE 1936 TRIAL
The preliminary and court investigations have established that:
In the autumn of 1932, on the instructions of Trotsky received by Smirnov, leader of the Trotskyite underground organization in the USSR, a union took place between the Trotskyite and Zinovievite underground counter-revolutionary groups which formed a "united center" consisting of Zinoviev, Kamenev, Yevdokimov, and Bakayev (representing the Zinovievites), and of Smirnov, Ter-Vaganyan, and Mrachkovsky (representing the Trotskyites).
The union of these counter-revolutionary groups was achieved on the basis of the use of individual terror against the leaders of the CPSU and the Soviet government.
The Trotskyites and Zinovievites, on the direct instructions of Trotsky, received by the "united center" through the accused Smirnov, Holtzman, and Dreitzer, in this period (1932-36) concentrated all their hostile activities against the Soviet government and the CPSU on the organization of terror against their leaders.
The Court has established that the "united center," on the direct instructions of Trotsky and Zinoviev, organized and carried out on December 1, 1934, through the medium of the underground terrorist Leningrad Zinovievite group of Nikolayev-Kotolynov, the foul murder of the member of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR and a member of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Comrade Kirov.
Not confining themselves to the assassination of Comrade Kirov, the Trotskyite-Zinovievite center prepared a number of terroristic acts against comrades Stalin, Voroshilov, Zhdanov, Kaganovich, Ordjonikidze, Kossior, and Postyshev.
The materials of the court investigation and the confessions of the accused Zinoviev, Kamenev, Evdokimov, Bakayev, Mrachkovsky, and Dreitzer have established that Trotsky, from abroad, and Zinoviev within the country, expedited by every means the preparations for the murder of Comrade Kirov. For the purpose of expediting the murder of Comrade Kirov, Kamenev, in June 1934, on the instructions of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center went to Leningrad where he conducted negotiations with the leader of one of the Leningrad terrorist groups, Yakovlev, whose case has been set aside for a separate trial, about the organization of this terroristic act against Comrade Kirov.
The court has also established that on the instructions of the "united center" the accused Bakayev, in November 1934, also made a special journey to Leningrad to check up on the preparedness of the Leningrad terrorist group of Nikolayev-Kotolynov for the carrying out of the assassination of Comrade Kirov. At a secret meeting of the members of this Leningrad terrorist group, Bakayev heard the report of Nikolayev, the murderer of Comrade Kirov, and in the name of the united Trotskyite-Zinovievite center, gave him and his accomplices a number of practical instructions concerning the organization of the assassination of Comrade Kirov it was in conformity with these instructions that Nikolayev and his accomplices committed the foul murder of Comrade Kirov on December 1, 1934.
The court has also established that in 1934, the accused Bakayev, Reingold, and Dreitzer, in accordance with the decisions of the "united center," twice tried to make an attempt on the life of Comrade Stalin.
In order the more successfully to commit the terroristic acts planned by the "united center" it organized in 1933 in the city of Moscow, the so-called " Moscow terrorist center," consisting of the accused Reingold, Pickel, and Dreitzer, under the direct guidance of the accused Bakayev, a member of the "united center."
The "united center" instructed the accused Bakayev to make practical preparations for the assassination of Comrade Stalin and Kirov, and it instructed Dreitzer, a member of the " Moscow terrorist center" to organize a terroristic act against Comrade Voroshilov.
Not confining himself to the organization of a number of terroristic acts against the leaders of the Soviet government and the CPSU under the immediate direction of the "united center," Trotsky, in the period of 1932-36, was systematically sending a number of terrorists into the USSR from abroad for the same purpose.
In November 1932, Trotsky sent to the USSR Berman-Yurin and Fritz David; and before leaving, the latter received from Trotsky personal instructions with regard to the organization of the assassination of Comrade Stalin.
In the same year, 1932, Trotsky sent to Moscow from Berlin the terrorist Nathan Lurye. In conjunction with Franz Weitz, agent of the Gestapo and a person trusted by Himmler, now chief of the Gestapo (Franz Weitz was then living in Moscow under the guise of a foreign specialist), N. Lurye made preparations for attempts on the lives of comrades Stalin, Voroshilov, Kaganovich, and Ordjonikidze.
In the winter of 1932-33, after the departure of Franz Weitz from Moscow, N. Lurye and his terrorist group continued the preparation of these terroristic acts jointly with the accused M. Lurye who arrived in Moscow from Berlin in 1933, and who had also received from Trotsky instructions to expedite terroristic acts against the leaders of the Soviet government and the CPSU.
A 1934, N. Lurye tried to make an attempt on the lives of comrades Kaganovich and Ordjonikidze. Finally, the said N. Lurye, on May 1, 1936, on the instruction of, and by previous agreement with, M. Lurye, tried to make an attempt on the life of Comrade Zhdanov during the First of May demonstration in Leningrad.
In the summer of 1935, Trotsky, through his son Sedov, sent to the USSR from Berlin the terrorist Olberg who used a false passport issued in the name of a subject of the Republic of Honduras. Olberg obtained this passport with the aid of the German secret police, the Gestapo, having first received the consent of Trotsky, through the latter's son Sedov, to utilize the assistance of the German secret police in this matter.
On arriving in the USSR, Olberg established contact with the counter-revolutionary Trotskyite terrorist group in the city of Gorky, and trained a number of terrorists who were to commit a terroristic act against the leaders of the Soviet government and the CPSU in Red Square in Moscow on May 1, 1936.
The court investigation has also established that simultaneously with the preparation of terroristic acts against Comrades Stalin, Voroshilov, Zhdanov, Kaganovich, and Ordjonikidze, the Trotskyite-Zinovievite terrorist center made preparations for terroristic acts against Comrades Kossior and Postyshev through the medium of the Ukrainian terrorist group operating under the direction of the Trotskyite Mukhin, whose case has been set aside for a separate trial.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 175-178
THE VERDICT OF THE 1936 TRIAL
All sentenced to the supreme penalty of being shot.
Report of Court Proceedings for the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre--1936. Moscow: H. Fertig, 1967 , p. 180
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