The postponed trial of nine Jewish youths charged with conducting Communist activities, the opening of which last week, led to clashes between Cuzists and Jews, was resumed here today.
All the accused, including a Jewish youth, named Josef Feldman, and a young woman, Natasha, who were cruelly tortured by the police last fall, denied the charges against them.
Evidence was adduced to show that all the accused were students at a Jewish Gymnasium. Feldman’s mother took the witness stand and testified as to the torture to which her son was subjected. Hes testimony created a deep impression. The director of the Gymnasium and a professor, Samson Tindel, both testified for Feldman, declaring that he was among the best students. None of the accused, they asserted, had ever engaged in Communist activities.
The report of the police physician who had been sent to investigate the extent and nature of Feldman’s injuries when in prison was sharply contested by other witnesses. The police physician reported that Feldman’s condition was the result of corns or frostbites but not due to torture.
Despite the evidence in his behalf, the court refused to release Feldman on bail. It also refused to grant the request of the public prosecutor to conduct the trial in camera, excluding the public and the press. It did, however, agree to hold one closed session on February 9th.
Today’s resumption of the trial proceedings was not marked by incidents of a serious nature, although student demonstrations did take place.
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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.
