The investigation made by the Pskov authorities into the circumstances surrounding the murder of the Jewish worker Bolsheminikov by his fellowworker Trofimov, revealed that five members of the Communist youth organization were present at the time when the murder was committed. They did not interfere with Trofimov, who employed an ax to commit the brutal murder.
After committing the murder, Trofimov calmly proceeded to attend a discussion in the Workers’ Club on unhealthy symptoms in workers’ organizations.
When the police asked him whether he confirms his previous statement that he had killed Bolsheminikov because he was a Zhid (Jew), Trofimov replied: “Of course I said it. What’s so extraordinary?” At a meeting of the local Comsomel organization the next day, many of the members defended Trofimov’s act.
In Vitebsk the local court sentenced six workers in the factory Dwina to prison terms for anti-Semitic behavior Lichovidov and Radovchenko were given one year terms each, while four women workers were sentenced to six months each.
A meeting of Jewish workers held at (Continued on Page 4)
Pskov adopted a resolution protesting against the murder of Bolsheminikov by Trofimov. The Jewish workers also denounced “Jewish chauvinism thriving on such happening, as evidenced even among those who are present at this meeting.”
The resolution adds that the best weapon against anti-Semitism is to enroll in the Ozet, society for settling Jews on the land.
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.
