Death to Russians

Twenty-two sentences of Death were demanded, last week, by Soviet Prosecutor Nikolai Vassilievich Krylenko, at the close of the great Shahkta or Technicians Trial before the Soviet Supreme Court (TIME, July 2).

The original defendants were 49 Russians and 3 Germans. The Russians were charged with High Treason and all defendants with conspiracy to sabotage (disablement) of the vital coal mines in the region of the Don.

The five Supreme Court Judges, after pondering for 48 hours, acquitted two Germans and two Russians, paroled the other German, imposed 35 sentences of imprisonment on Russians, placed under suspended sentence of death six Russians, ordered shot five Russians.

Lastly Supreme Court Justice Professor A. Y. Vyshinsky intoned: "Against this verdict there is no appeal."