Kremlin Wives by Larissa Vasilieva

Author:Larissa Vasilieva [Vasilieva, Larissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-61145-650-9
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2011-01-13T21:00:00+00:00

Apart from this testimony, Egorova’s files contain absolutely no evidence of any crime. Yet the court transcript of her sentencing proceedings in Moscow, on August 27, 1938, states: “The case shall be heard in camera without witnesses or counsel for the prosecution or defense, and the accused is to be held in custody until the trial”* The transcript of the Supreme Court session the following day continues:

The presiding judge asked if the accused was acquainted with the charges against her. The accused replied in the affirmative. The accused was informed as to her legal rights. The accused made no plea or challenge to the court. The judge asked the secretary to read out the charges, explained to the accused the nature of the accusations against her, and asked her if she pleaded guilty or not guilty. The accused replied that she was not guilty, and that she rejected the signed evidence submitted during the first interrogation.

Nobody had forced her to give incorrect testimony, she said; she had simply been stunned by the sudden arrest of her husband and her own arrest, and had lost her head and slandered herself. She had no explanation as to why her husband had produced incriminating evidence against her.

When asked if she had anything else to add, the accused replied that since she had no way to prove her innocence she could only beg for mercy. The court retired to deliver its verdict, and at 21:55 the sentence was read out.

SENTENCE. In the name of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics G. A. Egorova is found guilty of all charges against her, and the military collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR therefore sentences Galina Antonovna Egorova to the supreme measure — death by firing squad, with the confiscation of all personal property.

The sentence is final, and according to the USSR Central Executive Committee’s ruling of 1.12.1934, is to be carried out forthwith.

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