(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The falsity of the ritual murder rumor which called forth wide excitement in Tchardzhuya, Buchara, was proved by an official investigation made by the authorities.
It developed that about ten years ago a Jewish butcher named Rubin and his family were killed by bandits. Only one child, a deaf mute, survived. The boy was adopted by relatives and because of his abnormality he was closely guarded in the house. This aroused suspicion on the part of neighbors and it was soon whispered that the boy, kept in the house, was Christian and was being used “for ritual purposes.” By the process of addition a story was concocted that the Buchara Jews had invented a special machine for sucking blood from the boy for the purpose of exporting it to the Jewish communities abroad.
The attitude of the militia in the district was uncertain, adding danger to the safety of the Jewish community. It was stated that some of the militia officials gave credence to the rumor.
The Tachkcnt Communist press, in publishing the details of the investigation, proving the absurdity of the change, severely criticises the militia.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
