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Slánský

Film and audio recordings from the “trial of leadership of the anti-state conspiracy centre headed by Rudolf Slánský”, whose main session took place before the State Court in Prague from 20 to 27 November 1952

(Political trial with 14 accused high party and state officials, from a finding in a factory storehouse in Panenské Břežany)

 

“Whether it is in Russia, Poland, Bulgaria or Czechoslovakia, all confesses to crimes they have not committed, all voice penitence in the same way, all recite learned speech in the same way, and all this is still of no avail to them. Rudolf Slánský has already started making known automatic movements of a man who is crushed by a boulder […].He has already promised not to get embittered about his fate, which means he is scared to death. He already asked that the comrades were so kind and expel him from the party, which means that he is lost. The boulder of the communist investigation is heavier than other boulders, and no one doubts that Rudolf Slánský will confess to everything that will be asked of him…”

(Ferdinand Peroutka, radio commentary on the arrest of Rudolf Slánský, for Free Europe broadcast, 9 December 1951)

 

As a result of the Yugoslav-Soviet Split, J. V. Stalin comes up with the theory of the enemy within the party and the international anti-Soviet conspiracy. The outcome of this process were fabricated trials of leading representatives of communist parties in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (László Rajk, Traicho Kostov, Koçi Xoxe, etc.). Rudolf Slánský, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, was chosen as the “Czechoslovak Rajk” and together with him other top representatives of the party and state apparatus. The Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-state Conspiracy Centre had been long and thoroughly prepared by the Czechoslovak security, party and judicial authorities. However, everything was fully directed by Soviet advisers operating in Czechoslovakia. Interrogations of those arrested were conducted according to interrogation plans and continuously submitted to the Soviet advisors for review. Interrogated were subjected to cruel physical and psychological violence until a coerced and predetermined confession was achieved. A lengthy investigation took more than a year in some cases. This approach resulted in a complete mental breakdown of the investigated. From 20 to 27 November 1952, a public hearing was held before the State Court in Prague, during which learned and coerced answers were heard from the defendants’ mouths, exactly according to a detailed scenario. Senate chaired by JUDr. Jaroslav Novák found all the defendants guilty. Rudolf Slánský, Bedřich Geminder, Ludvík Frejka, Josef Frank, Vladimír Clementis, Bedřich Reicin, Karel Šváb, Rudolf Margolius, Otto Fischl, Otto Šling and André Simone were sentenced to death by hanging; Artur London, Vavro Hajdů and Evžen Löbl were sentenced to life imprisonment. In order to make proper propaganda use of the trial, audio and film recordings were taken. Selected parts of the audio recording were continuously broadcasted by Czechoslovak Radio. Recently discovered audio tapes illustrate the atmosphere of the fabricated trial.

Defendants:Assigned defence counsels:
Rudolf SlánskýJUDr. Vladimír Bartoš
Bedřich GeminderJUDr. Vojtěch Pošmura
Vladimír ClementisJUDr. Jiří Šťastný
Artur LondonJUDr. Jaromír Růžička
Vavro HajdůJUDr. Václav Synek
André SimoneJUDr. Jaromír Růžička
Ludvík FrejkaJUDr. Jaromír Růžička
Josef FrankJUDr. Jiří Šťastný
Eugen LöblJUDr. Vojtěch Pošmura
Rudolf MargoliusJUDr. Vladimír Bartoš
Otto FischlJUDr. Václav Synek
Otto ŠlingJUDr. Václav Synek
Karel ŠvábJUDr. Vojtěch Pošmura
Bedřich ReicinJUDr. Jiří Šťastný
  
Presiding Judge:JUDr. Jaroslav Novák
Members of the chamber:František Stýblo
 JUDr. Jiří Štella, Brig. Gen. (Supreme Military Court)
 Václav Jareš (lay judge)
 Ing. František Doušek (lay judge)
Chief State Prosecutor:JUDr. Josef Urválek
Other prosecutors:JUDr. Václav Aleš
 Miloslav Kolaja
 František Antl

Film recordings

1-1/1,  Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/334 m/11:35, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles, a signature tune and a brief period commentary represents a film montage from the first day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague in Pankrác. State Prosecutor JUDr. Josef Urválek is the first to take the floor, presenting the wording of charges. After his introductory sentences, the commentator briefly lists the main charges and then introduces the beginning of the interrogation of Rudolf Slánský. The former General Secretary answers questions from the Presiding Judge JUDr. Jaroslav Novák, whether he feels guilty of crimes, and further testifies to the commencement of his activities in the Communist Party.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 1, Czechoslovak State Film stated on the film strip.

 


1-1/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/247 m/8:39, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. On the question of the Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on his activities during the First Republic. The Prosecutor then confronts Slánský with police and court documents of the 1920s, which according to him should confirm that already at that time Slánský did not behave as a Communist. Slánský confirms the submitted documents and, at the request of Urválek, elaborates on his “Trotskyist activity” (for example, he mentions cooperation with Evžen Klinger). In this context, the Prosecutor confronts Slánský with his police card (no. 352) of 1928 and the police protocol of 11 October 1927. Slánský identifies the documents and, at the direction of Urválek, clarifies his “opportunistic activity”, for example in the case of the election of Edvard Beneš as President of the Republic, and in the matter of the Czechoslovak-Soviet Treaty.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 2, Československý státní film [Czechoslovak State Film] stated on the film strip.

 


1-1/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/246 m/8:15, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. On the question of the Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on deployment of “enemy elements” in the state and economic apparatus. In this context, he mentions these names: Josef Frank, Ludvík Frejka, Otto Fischl, Rudolf Margolius, Evžen Löbl, Eduard Outrata, Josef Goldmann, Karel Šváb, André Simone, Marie Švermová, and others. The Prosecutor confronts Slánský with documents about K. Šváb and J. Frank, which are to prove their criminal behaviour during World War II. Slánský confirms that he knows these documents and was covering the mentioned persons. He also speaks in a similar vein in the case of documents submitted by Urválek, mentioning the names of O. Fischl, A. Simone and O. Šling.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 3, Československý státní film [Czechoslovak State Film] stated on the film strip.

 


1-1/4,  Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/312 m/10:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. According to the opening title, Rudolf Slánský testifies on “attempts to draw Czechoslovakia into preparation for the Third World War”. In this context, he mentions the activities of Konni Zilliacus, a member of the British Labour Party, and his meeting with Yugoslav politician Moshe Piade. At the request of the Judge, Slánský also testifies on his intentions and methods of his accomplices within the Communist Party.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 4.

 


 1-1/5 , Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/334 m/11:36, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. Asked by Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on sabotage of the reconstruction of the Czechoslovak economy and the development of heavy industry. Further questions of the Prosecutor and testimony by Slánský are focused on cooperation with representatives of the “pre-February reaction” (especially with Edvard Beneš), the activities of the “centre” after February 1948 and the strengthening of his own position within the party. The following title “R. Slánský about attempts to seize power in the state through a conspiratorial centre” announces the content of the final part of the film. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witness Josef Vondráček.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 5.

1-1/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/258 m/9:03, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: Second day of the trial (21 November 1952) continues with interrogation of Bedřich Geminder, the former Head of International Department of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Geminder testifies on his relationship with Rudolf Slánský, their common interests, and mutual cooperation within the “conspiratorial centre”. Geminder then lists the names of persons, whom he “pushed through”, with the support of Slánský, into the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and into important positions at representative offices in the West. He also confesses the provision of “spy information” to K. Zilliacus.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 6.

 


 1-1/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/304 m/10:35, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former Head of International Department of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 21 November 1952. Geminder testifies on his activities as a “liaison” between Slánský and Western intelligence services; in this context, he mentions cooperation with Konni Zilliacus. He then continues with testimony on the planned removal of the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the President of the Republic Klement Gottwald and his deliberate isolation from state and party affairs. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Pavel Reiman and Evžen Klinger.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 7.

 


 2-1/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/312 m/10:56, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the second day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues with interrogation of Vladimír Clementis, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 21 November 1952. Among other things, he testifies on the pre-war publishing of the DAV magazine and political activities in Slovakia. At the request of the Prosecutor, Clementis then explains the beginnings of his connection with foreign espionage services. At the end of the film, Jan Drda, chairman of the Union of Czechoslovak Writers, is captured on a camera shot of the benches for public present in the courtroom.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 1, at the end (from 9:38), the video repeatedly jams.

 


2-1/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/158 m/5:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Vladimír Clementis, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 21 November 1952. Clementis testifies on his “spy connection” with British Ambassador Philip Nichols (followed by Pierson Dixon) and US Ambassador Laurence Steinhardt. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Jaroslav Jirčík, Laco Novomeský, and Ivan Horváth.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 2.

2-1/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/324 m/10:41, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Artur London, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. London mainly testifies on his “spy connection” to the American diplomat Noel Field. Another part of his interrogation is focused on activities in the so-called Commission of Three, which should have been a tool for advancing of cadres to middle and lower positions in diplomatic service abroad. In this context, London mentions e.g. Eduard Goldstücker, Karel Dufek, and other diplomats.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 3.

 


 2-1/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/171 m/5:53, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Artur London, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. London testifies on the deployment of “enemy elements and members of the conspiracy” at Czechoslovak representative offices. The Prosecutor confronts London with the text of a letter of 31 March 1949 addressed Lang, envoy in Switzerland, in which the former Deputy Minister was to recommend Jiří Brotan. Subsequently, London explains the activities of the “centre” after the arrest of Marie Švermová and Karel Šváb. In conclusion, London is asked by the Presiding Judge of the State Court, J. Novák, to explain what he allegedly kept secret at the beginning of the investigation – involvement in the conspiracy.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 4.

 


2-1/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/203 m/6:58, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Vavro Hajdů, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Hajdů explains the circumstances of the beginning of his “conspiratorial and enemy activities”, such as how he had befriended Vladimír Clementis in Paris in 1939, etc. Subsequently, the former Deputy Minister testifies on his activities in exile in England during World War II. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Karel Dufek.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 5.

 


 2-1/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

 Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/237 m/8:16, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of André Simone, the former editor of Rudé právo [Red Justice] daily, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Simone testifies on the beginnings of his “Trotskyist” activity in Germany and his acquaintance with the “Trotskyists” Erwin Piscator and Willi Münzenberg. He is then asked by the Prosecutor to explain under what circumstances he was won by French Minister Georges Mandel. Simone also testifies on his contacts with the British Secret Service (in this context, he mentions the name of the Intelligence Service agent Paul Willert).
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 6.

 


2-1/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/228 m/7:55, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of André Simone, the former editor of Rudé právo [Red Justice], before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Simone first testifies on the US Bureau of Psychological Warfare, and then explains his post-war arrival in Czechoslovakia with the help of Hubert Ripka, the former Minister of Foreign Trade. In this context, he mentions acquitting Rudolf Slánský. Following further questions from the Presiding Judge and the Prosecutor, André Simone is already dissociating himself from his “Trotskyist” past, mentioning his Jewish origin, subjecting himself to severe self-criticism, and asking to become a warning to others. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Josef Just.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 7.

 


 3-1/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/269 m/9:19, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the third day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 22 November with the interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frejka answers the question of the Presiding Judge J. Novák, what were his relations with Konni Zilliacus and Noel Field. In the next part of the testimony, the former head of the department testifies on obstructing the construction of socialism by sabotage, and so on.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 1.

 


 3-1/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/251 m/8:41, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Frejka testifies in detail on delivering of confidential information to K. Zilliacus. In this context, he mentions the results of the implementation of the Two-Year Plan, as well as a report on Czechoslovak foreign trade. Frejka also mentions the course of the meeting between Zilliacus and Rudolf Slánský in the autumn of 1947, where he was supposed to be an interpreter.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 2.

 


3-1/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

 Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/312 m/10:36, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. According to the opening title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage in planning. At the request of the judge, he speaks in detail about the course and conclusions of an all-day meeting in autumn 1947 in Slánský’s villa in Veselíkov, where the inside-the-party draft of the Five-Year Plan was discussed. He also explains the process of approving proposals for “acts of sabotage” in the economy in cooperation with other members of the “centre”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 3.

 


 3-1/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/284 m/10:05, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. According to the opening title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage of heavy industry development. In his testimony, he gives concrete examples of “sabotage”, such as the replacement of the production of heavy products in the metal industry and iron and steel works by the production of light products. According to Frejka, the “centre” should hinder the use of Soviet planning experiences.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 4.

 


 3-1/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/315 m/11:04, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. On the instruction of the Prosecutor, Frejka testifies on “sabotage” in the field of energy industry. In this context he mentions e.g. Ing. Bárta-Braunstein, whom Rudolf Slánský was supposed to push through to the leading position in the energy industry. Frejka describes the Director General of the Czechoslovak Metal and Machinery Works Fabinger as another “conspirator”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 5.

 


 3-1/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) THIRD AND FOURTH DAY OF THE TRIAL 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/150 m/5:11, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Frejka testifies on various forms of “sabotage” in the field of capital construction; as an example he mentions the construction of a large nitrogen plant in Martinov in the Ostrava region, which had to be stopped and transferred to Lovosice. Frejka also told the Court that the complete renovation and construction of the Stalin plant was not intentionally included in the plan. At the end of the interrogation, the Presiding Judge, J. Novák, asks the co-defendants whether any of them have a supplementary question to Frejka (Rudolf Slánský rises up). At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Ivan Holý, Bedřich Hájek, and Vojtěch Jančík from the following day of the trial (23 November 1952).
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 6.

3-1/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

 Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/315 m/11:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frank testifies on his social background and “opportunistic development”; as an example he mentions his arrest in 1930 for dissemination of illegal anti-war printed materials, when he allegedly subsequently cooperated with the investigating authorities and testified against the participants of the dissemination of leaflets. In this context, the Prosecutor confronts Frank with the contents of protocols of the then defendants. The former deputy of Rudolf Slánský also mentions his involuntary stay in concentration camps between 1939 and 1945.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 7.

 


 3-1/8, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/306 m/10:33, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. At the Judge’s request, Frank testifies on his alleged crimes in the Buchenwald concentration camp, and in this context subsequently admits that he was on the list of war criminals. The Prosecutor confronts Frank with the list of wanted war criminals no. 42 of August 1946. Another part of the testimony is devoted to “deployment and maintaining enemies” in the economic field. At the instruction of the Judge, Frank gives the names of some persons (Ing. Fabinger, Ing. Jičínský, Ing. Eisler, Ing. Kárný-Karpeles, Dr. Holý, Dr. Fischl, Löbl, Dr. Outrata).
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 8.

 


3-1/9, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

 Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/321 m/11:06, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. The Prosecutor asks Frank how it was with the compensation for the nationalization to the “great-capitalist” Rotschild. After his testimony, the Presiding Judge J. Novák interrupts the hearing for 10 minutes. Interrogation continues with Frank’s testimony on sabotage of the heavy industry construction, which in the film is announced by a title. Former deputy of Rudolf Slánský mentions in this context, for example, the reconstruction of the ironworks of V. M. Molotov in Třinec.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 9.

 


3-1/10, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/288 m/9:57, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, the former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. The content of the film is preceded by the opening title: The accused J. Frank testifies on attempts to isolate the President of the Republic. In this context, the former Deputy General Secretary mentions Rudolf Slánský and specific examples of his alleged efforts to isolate and remove Klement Gottwald. The film continues with the testimony of witness Marie Švermová, who describes Frank as the “right hand” of Slánský, and at the same time Bedřich Geminder as his “left hand”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 10.

 


3-1/11, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/205 m/7:06, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Evžen Löbl, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Löbl speaks about his participation in the sabotage of Czechoslovak foreign trade in cooperation with his accomplices, especially Ludvík Frejka and Rudolf Margolius. Following the interrogation of Löbl, Frejka confirms his words, in particular those parts of the testimony in which Löbl mentions Frejka’s involvement in his “sabotage activities”. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Dagmar Kacerovská.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 11.

3-1/12, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/170 m/5:50, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. According to the introductory film title, Margolius testifies “on his anti-state conspiratorial activities”. The former Deputy Minister explains the Court espionage cooperation with Western agents and handover of information about the Czechoslovak national economy and foreign trade. In this context, he often mentions the co-defendant Evžen Löbl, with whom he had close contacts, and Straboldi and Brenner as foreign allies of the “centre”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 12.

 


3-1/13, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

 Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/241 m/8:20, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. In his testimony, Margolius mentions Otto Wilhelm Winter from Sweden, to whom he was to reveal the state of Czechoslovakia’s negotiations with the Rothschilds regarding the Freja mine, which was owned by the Vítkovice Ironworks. The former Deputy Minister also gives examples of “damaging the Czechoslovak economy” during negotiations with Winter, and therefore Sweden. The Prosecutor is also interested in specific sabotage in the field of foreign trade. In this context, Margolius mentions his earlier collaboration with co-defendant Löbl, with whom he was to continue in the “enemy line of the Beneš and Ripka clique”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 13.

 


3-1/14, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/311 m/10:43, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. The part of the interrogation captured by the film camera is devoted to the interventions of “Western imperialists” in the Czechoslovak economy by exceeding credit limits. Margolius pleads guilty of pursuing this “criminal policy” and confesses to the damage caused. In his testimony, he also mentions the Swiss company Sulzer, which he was supposed to involve in trade relations between Czechoslovakia and Poland. Margolius also testifies on the sabotage of trade between Czechoslovakia, the USSR, and the people’s democratic countries. The Prosecutor supplements his testimony with percentage data from an expert opinion.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 14.

 


3-1/15, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/308 m/10:32, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Fischl, former Deputy Minister of Finance, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Fischl answers the question of the Presiding Judge Jaroslav Novák, why he had a hostile attitude against people’s democratic Czechoslovakia. The former Deputy Minister refers to his “petty-bourgeois origins” and activities in the interwar period. In connection with the occupation, he confesses to cooperation with the Nazis, specifically with a judge Dr. Zechner and an officer Peterson. The Prosecutor then confronts Fischl with a publication by the Ministry of the Interior from July 1945 entitled “Zločin Lidice a Ležáky” [The Crime of Lidice and Ležáky], in which the aforementioned Dr. Zechner is stated in a list of war criminals. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Fischl also testifies on his involvement in the “centre” and his relationship to R. Slánský.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 15.

 


3-1/16, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/195 m/6:50, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Fischl, former Deputy Minister of Finance, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. Fischl testifies on his “sabotage activities” in Správa majetkových podstat [National Administration of Property], confronted by the Prosecutor with the opinion of forensic experts, who quantified damages worth 10 billion crowns. Furthermore, the interrogation is devoted to Fischl’s work at the Ministry of Finance, where he was to be appointed by Rudolf Slánský. Fischl speaks of his aid to the “Jewish bourgeoisie” in exporting property, in connection with its mass emigration to Israel and other capitalist states. The Prosecutor then asks Fischl about the names of the accomplices in the matter. The film ends with the former Deputy Minister’s answer to the Prosecutor’s next question, how he should have agreed with Slánský and Geminder in case their support for the Zionists and the export of property were revealed.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 16.

 


4-1/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/388 m/9:57, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the fifth day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 24 November with the interrogation of Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, who at the beginning of his testimony pleads guilty to all charges and gives concrete examples of his activities before and after 1945. Šling mentions, for example, his stay in England during World War II, his cooperation with Edvard Beneš, “espionage contact” with officials of the British Committee (later the Trust Fund), etc. Further, Šling speaks about his work as the leading Regional Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno and about the deployment of cadres in cooperation with Rudolf Slánský.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 1.

 


4-1/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/265 m/9:11, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. Šling testifies extensively on his personnel policy, which he pursued as the head of the regional apparatus of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno. He lists Vladimír Lenc, Růžena Dubová, Jaroslav Kvis and others, whom he was to install in party structures. In answer to Prosecutor’s question, what was his “enemy activity” in the field of industry, Šling mentions the “collaborator” Ing. Ryšánek, who was to be promoted to the position of corporate director of Pozemní stavby [Building Constructions] in Brno, or Ing. Sázavský, whom he was to appoint as director of the sugar factory in Slavkov. Šling also speaks about the conference of factory owners and wholesalers just after the nationalization of their companies, which he was to organize in March 1948 with the knowledge of Slánský et al.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 2.

 


4-1/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/291 m/8:24, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. Šling testifies on his close cooperation with Rudolf Slánský since April 1945. In this context, he mentions Marie Švermová, who was to be a “possible intercessor” for his person with Slánský. Šling also speaks about being asked by Slánský to find a doctor for the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Klement Gottwald. According to Šling, this was to happen in the person of MUDr. Ladislav Haas. At the end of his testimony, the former Regional Secretary evaluates the crimes of which he is accused. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Václav Patzák and Hanuš Lomský.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 3.

4-1/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/188 m/6:27, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Karel Šváb, former Deputy Minister of National Security, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Šváb testifies on his behaviour and cooperation with the Nazis during his imprisonment in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he was to perform the function of a table leader and later a vorarbeiter [foreman]. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Šváb confesses to the abuse and robbery of his fellow prisoners on food. The former Deputy Minister also speaks about his post-war return to Czechoslovakia, when he was – burdened by war crimes – to commit himself to cooperation with Rudolf Slánský and to engage in “enemy activities of the anti-state centre”. At the end of the film, Karel Šváb mentions a letter from August 1945, which was to be written by his fellow prisoner Jaroslav Heřman.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 4.

 


4-1/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/312 m/10:49, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Karel Šváb, former Deputy Minister of National Security, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. According to the initial title, Šváb testifies on “covering up the enemy activities of members of the conspiracy centre”, such as a group of “Slovak bourgeois nationalists” led by Vlado Clementis (in this context he speaks of Věra Hložková’s testimony in 1948, which was to expose the group). The Prosecutor also asks Šváb about Bedřich Reicin’s activities in the army; during his testimony, he presents him with selected “incriminating” documents about Reicin for inspection. In another part of the interrogation, the former Deputy Minister testifies at the instruction of the Prosecutor on the case of the son of the former Chief of the General Staff Bohumil Boček. At the end of the film, Karel Šváb is interrogated about the activities of Bedřich Geminder. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of three testifying witnesses Osvald Závodský, Věra Hložková, and Oskar Valášek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 5.

 


4-1/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/304 m/10:41, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Reicin testifies on his earlier life, “bourgeois and religious” upbringing, and entry into the Komsomol in 1926. The former Deputy Minister confesses to cooperation with the Nazis during the occupation, including the giving of Julius Fučík and his fellow workers from the editorial staff of Rudé právo [Red Justice] newspaper away to the Gestapo. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin speaks about his activities in the army before and after 1945. In this context, he mentions his connection with the “Beneš bourgeois clique” and Rudolf Slánský, which was supposed to lead to the sabotage of the Košice Government Programme. At the end of the film, Reicin confesses to the extensive espionage he was to carry out with accomplices in command of the Czechoslovak army for the benefit of the West.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 6.

 


4-1/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/200 m/10:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Reicin testifies on cooperation with the Gestapo and the tasks from Superintendant Elbers, which he was entrusted with. In this context, the Prosecutor submits to the Court a photocopy of the Gestapo report, “convicting” Reicin – after looking at the document, he confirms the contents to the Court. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin names the persons, Communists in illegality, whom he had been reporting to the Gestapo (Oldřich Hlas, Stanislav Brunclík); he also speaks in detail about his contacts with Julius Fučík, through whom he was to connect with the party’s illegal central leadership (e.g. functionary Václav Křen). The Prosecutor is also interested in Reicin’s departure for the USSR, which was to be allowed by the “German fascists”. The former Deputy Minister speaks about his meeting with Rudolf Slánský in Moscow in the beginning of 1941, he also mentions his internment by the Soviet authorities (on 25 June 1941) and the establishment of contact in the Oranki camp with “anti-Soviet elements” from the military group of Col. Ludvík Svoboda.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 7.

 


4-1/8, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/292 m/10:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Reicin testifies on his activities with the Czechoslovak military unit in Buzuluk and about the person of Col. Ludvík Svoboda. He confesses to popularizing Edvard Beneš in his book Sokolovo. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Reicin subsequently testifies on his “crimes” after 1945 in the position of Chief of Military Defence Intelligence, when he was to become at the same time an American-English spy. In this context, he was to provide information to Western diplomats and “spies” in Czechoslovakia, namely Woldik, Koenig and Mullens.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 8.

 


4-1/9, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/272 m/9:33, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Reicin testifies on his “espionage activities”, namely permitting the entry of foreign nationals into Czechoslovak industrial enterprises, and in this context mentions Generals Boček and Hanus, at whose request and with his consent similar visits were organized and accompanied. According to Reicin, the situation was similar in the case of visits by representatives of Western capitalist armies to Czechoslovak military training schools and special military units, based on the invitation of, among others, Minister Ludvík Svoboda. According to his former deputy, he was to invite an English signals specialist to the Czechoslovak Republic, accompanied by General Josef Marko in the liaison departments. In the next part of the interrogation, Reicin testifies on espionage missions by “Western imperialists” in the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 9.

 


4-1/10, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/308 m/10:41, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. The film begins with a Prosecutor’s question, what instructions the “enemy command” of the army received from Dr. Edvard Beneš. Reicin testifies in detail on his participation in a secret military meeting in 1947 with Dr. Beneš at the Castle, with the participation of Minister Ludvík Svoboda and General Boček. According to Reicin, the President of the Republic, “himself an agent of Western imperialists”, was to speak out at this meeting against proceeding against “reactionary pro-Western officers.” The former Deputy Minister also discusses Beneš’s alleged statements at this meeting, which, according to the Prosecutor in agreement with Reicin, testified to his efforts to prepare the conditions for the creation of a fifth column in the army. In connection with Beneš, Reicin also mentions “western-oriented” generals: H. Píka, A. Hasal, A. Liška and K. Janoušek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 10.

 


4-1/11, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) SIXTH AND SEVENTH DAY OF THE TRIAL

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/290 m/10:05, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the witness Vilém Nový, former Communist Party functionary and editor-in-chief of Rudé právo [Red Justice], before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Nový testifies on a meeting with Rudolf Slánský from the time of his work as the Regional Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Moravská Ostrava. Slánský was to blame him for his poor attitude towards Czechoslovak Social Democracy, leading to its disintegration and the transition of membership in the Ostrava region to the ranks of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. According to Nový, Slánský acted as an “advocate” for the social democratic politicians B. Laušman and B. Vilím. Nový’s testimony and, together with it, the accompanying proceedings is ended in the film by the voice of the commentator, followed by the closing speech by the Chief Prosecutor Dr. Josef Urválek on 26 November 1952. At the end of the film, the writer and poet Vítězslav Nezval is captured on a camera shot of the benches for public present in the courtroom.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 11.

4-1/12, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/293 m/10:28, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with the closing speech of the Chief Prosecutor Dr. Josef Urválek before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 12.

 


4-1/13, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/279 m/9:49, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with the final part of the closing speech of the Chief Prosecutor Dr. Josef Urválek before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. The Prosecutor proposes punishments for defendants: “Citizens-judges, in the name of our nations, against whose freedom and happiness the criminals have risen, in the name of the peace against which they have shamefully conspired, I demand the death penalty for all defendants. May your judgment fall like an iron fist without the slightest mercy.”
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 13.

 


4-1/14, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/281 m/10:02, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with final word of the accused former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. Slánský comments on the closing speech of the State Prosecutor and his draft sentence, which he considers to be “the most just”. He claims to have the main responsibility for his crimes, but also for the crimes of his co-defendants. The former Secretary General also evaluates his activities in accordance with the charges, he confesses, among other things, to the culpability of Jan Šverma’s death, the plot against President Klement Gottwald’s life, and espionage in favour of “American imperialists”.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 14.

 


4-1/15, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/228 m/7:56, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with completion of final word of the accused former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. Slánský mentions, among other things, his investigation by security authorities, whose behaviour he considers to be “absolutely correct”. At the end of his speech, he declares that he does not deserve an end other than the one proposed by the Prosecutor. The following are the last words of the defendants Bedřich Geminder and Ludvík Frejka, who, in the same way as Rudolf Slánský, plead guilty and show remorse. Frejka asks the Court to take into account that he has been truthfully testifying since the day of his arrest.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 15.

 


4-1/16, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)  

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/386 m/13:28, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with final words of the defendants Josef Frank and Vladimír Clementis before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. Both Frank and Clementis regret their past actions and demand the harshest sentences for themselves. Clementis wishes his case to be a cautionary warning of the endings of a formal, registry membership in the Communist Party associated with volatility, betrayal of allegiance to the Party, and to the Soviet Union.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 16.

 


4-1/17, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) 

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/312 m/10:59, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with final words of Rudolf Margolius, Otto Fischl, Otto Šling, and André Simone before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. All defendants plead guilty of serious crimes and demand the highest and harshest sentences for themselves.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 17.

4-1/18, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: duplicating positive / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/324 m/11:14, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory and closing signature tune and a brief period commentary represents a film montage from the eighth and last day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., held from 20 to 27 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The camera captured the entry of members of the Chamber to the courtroom in Prague in Pankrác. The Presiding Judge Dr. Jaroslav Novák gives a court verdict against R. Slánský and other defendants. Following the verdict, all defendants step forward before the Court and declare one by one that they accept the sentence and waive their remedies. State Prosecutor J. Urválek reserved the statutory deadline to express his opinion. Subsequently, the Presiding Judge Novák declares the trial closed. The film ends with a period propaganda commentary and a camera shot of the convicts leaving the courtroom.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 18.

Prepared by: Mgr. Martin Zbela
Translated by: Mgr. Pavel Baudisch

1-2/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/614 m/19:48, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents:¨The news film with introductory titles, a signature tune and a brief period commentary represents a film montage from the first day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague in Pankrác. State Prosecutor JUDr. Josef Urválek is the first to take the floor, presenting the wording of charges. After his introductory sentences, the commentator briefly lists the main charges and then introduces the beginning of the interrogation of Rudolf Slánský. The former General Secretary answers questions from the Presiding Judge JUDr. Jaroslav Novák, whether he feels guilty of crimes, and further testifies to the commencement of his activities in the Communist Party. On the question of the Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on his activities during the First Republic. The Prosecutor then confronts Slánský with police and court documents of the 1920s, which according to him should confirm that already at that time Slánský did not behave as a Communist. Slánský confirms the submitted documents and, at the request of Urválek, elaborates on his “Trotskyist activity” (for example, he mentions cooperation with Evžen Klinger). In this context, the Prosecutor confronts Slánský with his police card (no. 352) of 1928 and the police protocol of 11 October 1927. Slánský identifies the documents and, at the direction of Urválek, clarifies his “opportunistic activity”, for example in the case of the election of Edvard Beneš as President of the Republic, and in the matter of the Czechoslovak-Soviet Treaty.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 1 and 2, Československý státní film [Czechoslovak State Film] stated on the film strip; film is identical with films K35-84 and K35-88.

 


1-2/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/545 m/18:55, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. On the question of the Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on deployment of “enemy elements” in the state and economic apparatus. In this context, he mentions these names: Josef Frank, Ludvík Frejka, Otto Fischl, Rudolf Margolius, Evžen Löbl, Eduard Outrata, Josef Goldmann, Karel Šváb, André Simone, Marie Švermová, and others. The Prosecutor confronts Slánský with documents about K. Šváb and J. Frank, which are to prove their criminal behaviour during World War II. Slánský confirms that he knows these documents and was covering the mentioned persons. He also speaks in a similar vein in the case of documents submitted by Urválek, mentioning the names of O. Fischl, A. Simone and O. Šling. According to the title, Rudolf Slánský testifies on “attempts to draw Czechoslovakia into preparation for the Third World War”. In this context, he mentions the activities of Konni Zilliacus, a member of the British Labour Party, and his meeting with Yugoslav politician Moshe Piade. At the request of the Judge, Slánský also testifies on his intentions and methods of his accomplices within the Communist Party.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 3 and 4, Československý státní film [Czechoslovak State Film] stated on the film strip; film is identical with films K35-87 and K35-63.

 


1-2/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/338 m/11:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 20 November 1952. Asked by Prosecutor J. Urválek, Slánský testifies on sabotage of the reconstruction of the Czechoslovak economy and the development of heavy industry. Further questions of the Prosecutor and testimony by Slánský are focused on cooperation with representatives of the “pre-February reaction” (especially with Edvard Beneš), the activities of the “centre” after February 1948 and the strengthening of his own position within the party. The following title “R. Slánský about attempts to seize power in the state through a conspiratorial centre” announces the content of the final part of the film. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witness Josef Vondráček.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 5, Československý státní film [Czechoslovak State Film] stated on the film strip; film is identical with film K35-85.

1-2/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/605 m/19:29, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: Second day of the trial (21 November 1952) continues with interrogation of Bedřich Geminder, the former Head of International Department of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Geminder testifies on his relationship with Rudolf Slánský, their common interests, and mutual cooperation within the “conspiratorial centre”. Geminder then lists the names of persons, whom he “pushed through”, with the support of Slánský, into the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and into important positions at representative offices in the West. He also confesses the provision of “spy information” to K. Zilliacus. Geminder testifies on his activities as a “liaison” between Slánský and Western intelligence services; in this context, he mentions cooperation with Konni Zilliacus. He then continues with testimony on the planned removal of the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the President of the Republic Klement Gottwald and his deliberate isolation from state and party affairs. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Pavel Reiman and Evžen Klinger.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-29, K35-83, and K35-86.

 


1-2/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part I)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/600 m/19:20, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: Second day of the trial (21 November 1952) continues with interrogation of Bedřich Geminder, the former Head of International Department of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Geminder testifies on his relationship with Rudolf Slánský, their common interests, and mutual cooperation within the “conspiratorial centre”. Geminder then lists the names of persons, whom he “pushed through”, with the support of Slánský, into the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and into important positions at representative offices in the West. He also confesses the provision of “spy information” to K. Zilliacus. Geminder testifies on his activities as a “liaison” between Slánský and Western intelligence services; in this context, he mentions cooperation with Konni Zilliacus. He then continues with testimony on the planned removal of the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the President of the Republic Klement Gottwald and his deliberate isolation from state and party affairs. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Pavel Reiman and Evžen Klinger.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-15, K35-83, and K35-86.

 


2-2/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/475 m/16:06, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the second day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues with interrogation of Vladimír Clementis, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 21 November 1952. Among other things, he testifies on the pre-war publishing of the DAV magazine and political activities in Slovakia. At the request of the Prosecutor, Clementis then explains the beginnings of his connection with foreign espionage services. At the end of the film, Jan Drda, chairman of the Union of Czechoslovak Writers, is captured on a camera shot of the benches for public present in the courtroom. Clementis testifies on his “spy connection” with British Ambassador Philip Nichols (followed by Pierson Dixon) and US Ambassador Laurence Steinhardt. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Jaroslav Jirčík, Laco Novomeský, and Ivan Horváth.
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 1 and 2; film is identical with films K35-59 and K35-74.

2-2/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/534 m/18:37, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Artur London, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. London mainly testifies on his “spy connection” to the American diplomat Noel Field. Another part of his interrogation is focused on activities in the so-called Commission of Three, which should have been a tool for advancing of cadres to middle and lower positions in diplomatic service abroad. In this context, London mentions e.g. Eduard Goldstücker, Karel Dufek, and other diplomats. The news film continues with interrogation of André Simone, the former editor of Rudé právo [Red Justice] daily, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Simone testifies on the beginnings of his “Trotskyist” activity in Germany and his acquaintance with the “Trotskyists” Erwin Piscator and Willi Münzenberg. He is then asked by the Prosecutor to explain under what circumstances he was won by French Minister Georges Mandel. Simone also testifies on his contacts with the British Secret Service (in this context, he mentions the name of the Intelligence Service agent Paul Willert).
Technical note: Trial, I., Part 3 and 4; film is identical with films K35-66 and K35-67.

 


 2-2/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/205 m/7:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Vavro Hajdů, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Hajdů explains the circumstances of the beginning of his “conspiratorial and enemy activities”, such as how he had befriended Vladimír Clementis in Paris in 1939, etc. Subsequently, the former Deputy Minister testifies on his activities in exile in England during World War II. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Karel Dufek.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 5; film is identical with films K35-2 and K35-68.

 


 2-2/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/205 m/7:09, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Vavro Hajdů, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Hajdů explains the circumstances of the beginning of his “conspiratorial and enemy activities”, such as how he had befriended Vladimír Clementis in Paris in 1939, etc. Subsequently, the former Deputy Minister testifies on his activities in exile in England during World War II. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Karel Dufek.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 5; film is identical with films K35-28 and K35-68.

 


 2-2/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/405 m/13:32, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Artur London, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. London testifies on the deployment of “enemy elements and members of the conspiracy” at Czechoslovak representative offices. The Prosecutor confronts London with the text of a letter of 31 March 1949 addressed Lang, envoy in Switzerland, in which the former Deputy Minister was to recommend Jiří Brotan. Subsequently, London explains the activities of the “centre” after the arrest of Marie Švermová and Karel Šváb. In conclusion, London is asked by the Presiding Judge of the State Court, J. Novák, to explain what he allegedly kept secret at the beginning of the investigation – involvement in the conspiracy. The news film continues with interrogation of André Simone, the former editor of Rudé právo [Red Justice], before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on the same day. Simone first testifies on the US Bureau of Psychological Warfare, and then explains his post-war arrival in Czechoslovakia with the help of Hubert Ripka, the former Minister of Foreign Trade. In this context, he mentions acquitting Rudolf Slánský. Following further questions from the Presiding Judge and the Prosecutor, André Simone is already dissociating himself from his “Trotskyist” past, mentioning his Jewish origin, subjecting himself to severe self-criticism, and asking to become a warning to others. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Josef Just.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-69 and K35-65.

 


 2-2/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part II)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/466 m/15:53, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of André Simone, the former editor of Rudé právo [Red Justice] daily, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. Simone testifies on the beginnings of his “Trotskyist” activity in Germany and his acquaintance with the “Trotskyists” Erwin Piscator and Willi Münzenberg. He is then asked by the Prosecutor to explain under what circumstances he was won by French Minister Georges Mandel. Simone also testifies on his contacts with the British Secret Service (in this context, he mentions the name of the Intelligence Service agent Paul Willert) and on the US Bureau of Psychological Warfare, further explains his post-war arrival in Czechoslovakia with the help of Hubert Ripka, the former Minister of Foreign Trade. In this context, he mentions acquitting Rudolf Slánský. Following further questions from the Presiding Judge and the Prosecutor, André Simone is already dissociating himself from his “Trotskyist” past, mentioning his Jewish origin, subjecting himself to severe self-criticism, and asking to become a warning to others. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Josef Just.
Technical note: Trial, II., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-67, K35-65 and K35-13 (second half).

 


3-2/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/520 m/17:42, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the third day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 22 November with the interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frejka answers the question of the Presiding Judge J. Novák, what were his relations with Konni Zilliacus and Noel Field. In the next part of the testimony, the former head of the department testifies on obstructing the construction of socialism by sabotage, and so on. Frejka testifies in detail on delivering of confidential information to K. Zilliacus. In this context, he mentions the results of the implementation of the Two-Year Plan, as well as a report on Czechoslovak foreign trade. Frejka also mentions the course of the meeting between Zilliacus and Rudolf Slánský in the autumn of 1947, where he was supposed to be an interpreter.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 1 and 2; film is identical with films K35-22, K35-76, and K35-80.

 


3-2/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/520 m/18:09, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the third day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 22 November with the interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frejka answers the question of the Presiding Judge J. Novák, what were his relations with Konni Zilliacus and Noel Field. In the next part of the testimony, the former head of the department testifies on obstructing the construction of socialism by sabotage, and so on. Frejka testifies in detail on delivering of confidential information to K. Zilliacus. In this context, he mentions the results of the implementation of the Two-Year Plan, as well as a report on Czechoslovak foreign trade. Frejka also mentions the course of the meeting between Zilliacus and Rudolf Slánský in the autumn of 1947, where he was supposed to be an interpreter.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 1 and 2; film is in the middle incorrectly edited (9:12–9:35), e.g. a title is repeated; film is identical with films K35-11, K35-76, and K35-80.

 


3-2/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/601 m/20:20, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. According to the opening title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage in planning. At the request of the judge, he speaks in detail about the course and conclusions of an all-day meeting in autumn 1947 in Slánský’s villa in Veselíkov, where the inside-the-party draft of the Five-Year Plan was discussed. He also explains the process of approving proposals for “acts of sabotage” in the economy in cooperation with other members of the “centre”. According to a title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage of heavy industry development. In his testimony, he gives concrete examples of “sabotage”, such as the replacement of the production of heavy products in the metal industry and iron and steel works by the production of light products. According to Frejka, the “centre” should hinder the use of Soviet planning experiences.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 3 and 4; film is identical with films K35-34, K35-81, and K35-72.

 


3-2/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/601 m/20:18, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. According to the opening title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage in planning. At the request of the judge, he speaks in detail about the course and conclusions of an all-day meeting in autumn 1947 in Slánský’s villa in Veselíkov, where the inside-the-party draft of the Five-Year Plan was discussed. He also explains the process of approving proposals for “acts of sabotage” in the economy in cooperation with other members of the “centre”. According to a title, the defendant Frejka testifies on sabotage of heavy industry development. In his testimony, he gives concrete examples of “sabotage”, such as the replacement of the production of heavy products in the metal industry and iron and steel works by the production of light products. According to Frejka, the “centre” should hinder the use of Soviet planning experiences.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 3 and 4; film is identical with films K35-12, K35-81, and K35-72.

 


3-2/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III) THIRD AND FOURTH DAY OF THE TRIAL

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/466 m/15:49, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of Ludvík Frejka, former head of the National Economy Department of the Office of the President of the Republic, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 22 November 1952. On the instruction of the Prosecutor, Frejka testifies on “sabotage” in the field of energy industry. In this context he mentions e.g. Ing. Bárta-Braunstein, whom Rudolf Slánský was supposed to push through to the leading position in the energy industry. Frejka describes the Director General of the Czechoslovak Metal and Machinery Works Fabinger as another “conspirator”. Further, he testifies on various forms of “sabotage” in the field of capital construction; as an example he mentions the construction of a large nitrogen plant in Martinov in the Ostrava region, which had to be stopped and transferred to Lovosice. Frejka also told the Court that the complete renovation and construction of the Stalin plant was not intentionally included in the plan. At the end of the interrogation, the Presiding Judge J. Novák asks the co-defendants whether any of them have a supplementary question to Frejka (Rudolf Slánský rises up). At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Ivan Holý, Bedřich Hájek, and Vojtěch Jančík from the following day of the trial (23 November 1952).
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 5 and 6; film is identical with films K35-71 and K35-92.

3-2/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/621 m/21:22, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frank testifies on his social background and “opportunistic development”; as an example he mentions his arrest in 1930 for dissemination of illegal anti-war printed materials, when he allegedly subsequently cooperated with the investigating authorities and testified against the participants of the dissemination of leaflets. In this context, the Prosecutor confronts Frank with the contents of protocols of the then defendants. The former deputy of Rudolf Slánský also mentions his involuntary stay in concentration camps between 1939 and 1945. At the Judge’s request, Frank testifies on his alleged crimes in the Buchenwald concentration camp, and in this context subsequently admits that he was on the list of war criminals. The Prosecutor confronts Frank with the list of wanted war criminals no. 42 of August 1946. Another part of the testimony is devoted to “deployment and maintaining enemies” in the economic field. At the instruction of the Judge, Frank gives the names of some persons (Ing. Fabinger, Ing. Jičínský, Ing. Eisler, Ing. Kárný-Karpeles, Dr. Holý, Dr. Fischl, Löbl, Dr. Outrata).
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 7 and 8; film is identical with films K35-24, K35-70, and K35-82.

 


 3-2/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/621 m/21:30, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Frank testifies on his social background and “opportunistic development”; as an example he mentions his arrest in 1930 for dissemination of illegal anti-war printed materials, when he allegedly subsequently cooperated with the investigating authorities and testified against the participants of the dissemination of leaflets. In this context, the Prosecutor confronts Frank with the contents of protocols of the then defendants. The former deputy of Rudolf Slánský also mentions his involuntary stay in concentration camps between 1939 and 1945. At the Judge’s request, Frank testifies on his alleged crimes in the Buchenwald concentration camp, and in this context subsequently admits that he was on the list of war criminals. The Prosecutor confronts Frank with the list of wanted war criminals no. 42 of August 1946. Another part of the testimony is devoted to “deployment and maintaining enemies” in the economic field. At the instruction of the Judge, Frank gives the names of some persons (Ing. Fabinger, Ing. Jičínský, Ing. Eisler, Ing. Kárný-Karpeles, Dr. Holý, Dr. Fischl, Löbl, Dr. Outrata).
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 7 and 8; film is identical with films K35-16, K35-70, and K35-82.

 


 3-2/8, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/601 m/20:51, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. The Prosecutor asks Frank how it was with the compensation for the nationalization to the “great-capitalist” Rotschild. After his testimony, the Presiding Judge J. Novák interrupts the hearing for 10 minutes. Interrogation continues with Frank’s testimony on sabotage of the heavy industry construction, which in the film is announced by a title. Former deputy of Rudolf Slánský mentions in this context, for example, the reconstruction of the ironworks of V. M. Molotov in Třinec. Further content of the film is preceded by a title: The accused J. Frank testifies on attempts to isolate the President of the Republic. In this context, the former Deputy General Secretary mentions Rudolf Slánský and specific examples of his alleged efforts to isolate and remove Klement Gottwald. The film continues with the testimony of witness Marie Švermová, who describes Frank as the “right hand” of Slánský, and at the same time Bedřich Geminder as his “left hand”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 9 and 10; film is identical with films K35-23, K35-73, and K35-90.

 


 3-2/9, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/601 m/20:54, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Josef Frank, former Deputy General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. The Prosecutor asks Frank how it was with the compensation for the nationalization to the “great-capitalist” Rotschild. After his testimony, the Presiding Judge J. Novák interrupts the hearing for 10 minutes. Interrogation continues with Frank’s testimony on sabotage of the heavy industry construction, which in the film is announced by a title. Former deputy of Rudolf Slánský mentions in this context, for example, the reconstruction of the ironworks of V. M. Molotov in Třinec. Further content of the film is preceded by a title: The accused J. Frank testifies on attempts to isolate the President of the Republic. In this context, the former Deputy General Secretary mentions Rudolf Slánský and specific examples of his alleged efforts to isolate and remove Klement Gottwald. The film continues with the testimony of witness Marie Švermová, who describes Frank as the “right hand” of Slánský, and at the same time Bedřich Geminder as his “left hand”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 9 and 10; film is identical with films K35-14, K35-73, and K35-90.

 


 3-2/10, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/205 m/7:04, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Evžen Löbl, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Löbl speaks about his participation in the sabotage of Czechoslovak foreign trade in cooperation with his accomplices, especially Ludvík Frejka and Rudolf Margolius. Following the interrogation of Löbl, Frejka confirms his words, in particular those parts of the testimony in which Löbl mentions Frejka’s involvement in his “sabotage activities”. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Dagmar Kacerovská.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 11; film is identical with films K35-1 and K35-77.

 


 3-2/11, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/205 m/7:08, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Evžen Löbl, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 23 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Löbl speaks about his participation in the sabotage of Czechoslovak foreign trade in cooperation with his accomplices, especially Ludvík Frejka and Rudolf Margolius. Following the interrogation of Löbl, Frejka confirms his words, in particular those parts of the testimony in which Löbl mentions Frejka’s involvement in his “sabotage activities”. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shot of the testifying witness Dagmar Kacerovská.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 11; film is identical with films K35-19 and K35-77.

3-2/12, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/411 m/14:01, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. According to the introductory film title, Margolius testifies “on his anti-state conspiratorial activities”. The former Deputy Minister explains the Court espionage cooperation with Western agents and handover of information about the Czechoslovak national economy and foreign trade. In this context, he often mentions the co-defendant Evžen Löbl, with whom he had close contacts, and Straboldi and Brenner as foreign allies of the “centre”. In his testimony, Margolius mentions Otto Wilhelm Winter from Sweden, to whom he was to reveal the state of Czechoslovakia’s negotiations with the Rothschilds regarding the Freja mine, which was owned by the Vítkovice Ironworks. The former Deputy Minister also gives examples of “damaging the Czechoslovak economy” during negotiations with Winter, and therefore Sweden. The Prosecutor is also interested in specific sabotage in the field of foreign trade. In this context, Margolius mentions his earlier collaboration with co-defendant Löbl, with whom he was to continue in the “enemy line of the Beneš and Ripka clique”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 12 and 13; film is identical with films K35-3, K35-91, and K35-89.

 


 3-2/13, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/411 m/13:51, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. According to the introductory film title, Margolius testifies “on his anti-state conspiratorial activities”. The former Deputy Minister explains the Court espionage cooperation with Western agents and handover of information about the Czechoslovak national economy and foreign trade. In this context, he often mentions the co-defendant Evžen Löbl, with whom he had close contacts, and Straboldi and Brenner as foreign allies of the “centre”. In his testimony, Margolius mentions Otto Wilhelm Winter from Sweden, to whom he was to reveal the state of Czechoslovakia’s negotiations with the Rothschilds regarding the Freja mine, which was owned by the Vítkovice Ironworks. The former Deputy Minister also gives examples of “damaging the Czechoslovak economy” during negotiations with Winter, and therefore Sweden. The Prosecutor is also interested in specific sabotage in the field of foreign trade. In this context, Margolius mentions his earlier collaboration with co-defendant Löbl, with whom he was to continue in the “enemy line of the Beneš and Ripka clique”.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 12 and 13; film is identical with films K35-20, K35-91, and K35-89.

 


 3-2/14, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/311 m/10:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Rudolf Margolius, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. The part of the interrogation captured by the film camera is devoted to the interventions of “Western imperialists” in the Czechoslovak economy by exceeding credit limits. Margolius pleads guilty of pursuing this “criminal policy” and confesses to the damage caused. In his testimony, he also mentions the Swiss company Sulzer, which he was supposed to involve in trade relations between Czechoslovakia and Poland. Margolius also testifies on the sabotage of trade between Czechoslovakia, the USSR, and the people’s democratic countries. The Prosecutor supplements his testimony with percentage data from an expert opinion.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 14; film is identical with film K35-78.

 


 3-2/15, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/518 m/17:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Fischl, former Deputy Minister of Finance, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Fischl answers the question of the Presiding Judge Jaroslav Novák, why he had a hostile attitude against people’s democratic Czechoslovakia. The former Deputy Minister refers to his “petty-bourgeois origins” and activities in the interwar period. In connection with the occupation, he confesses to cooperation with the Nazis, specifically with a judge Dr. Zechner and an officer Peterson. The Prosecutor then confronts Fischl with a publication by the Ministry of the Interior from July 1945 entitled “Zločin Lidice a Ležáky” [The Crime of Lidice and Ležáky], in which the aforementioned Dr. Zechner is stated in a list of war criminals. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Fischl also testifies on his involvement in the “centre” and his relationship to R. Slánský, on his “sabotage activities” in Správa majetkových podstat [National Administration of Property], confronted by the Prosecutor with the opinion of forensic experts, who quantified damages worth 10 billion crowns. Furthermore, the interrogation is devoted to Fischl’s work at the Ministry of Finance, where he was to be appointed by Rudolf Slánský. Fischl speaks of his aid to the “Jewish bourgeoisie” in exporting property, in connection with its mass emigration to Israel and other capitalist states. The Prosecutor then asks Fischl about the names of the accomplices in the matter. The film ends with the former Deputy Minister’s answer to the Prosecutor’s next question, how he should have agreed with Slánský and Geminder in case their support for the Zionists and the export of property were revealed.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 15 and 16; film is identical with films K35-17, K35-79, and K35-75.

 


 3-2/16, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part III)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/518 m/17:09, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Fischl, former Deputy Minister of Finance, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. After the initial plea of guilty to all charges, Fischl answers the question of the Presiding Judge Jaroslav Novák, why he had a hostile attitude against people’s democratic Czechoslovakia. The former Deputy Minister refers to his “petty-bourgeois origins” and activities in the interwar period. In connection with the occupation, he confesses to cooperation with the Nazis, specifically with a judge Dr. Zechner and an officer Peterson. The Prosecutor then confronts Fischl with a publication by the Ministry of the Interior from July 1945 entitled “Zločin Lidice a Ležáky” [The Crime of Lidice and Ležáky], in which the aforementioned Dr. Zechner is stated in a list of war criminals. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Fischl also testifies on his involvement in the “centre” and his relationship to R. Slánský, on his “sabotage activities” in Správa majetkových podstat [National Administration of Property], confronted by the Prosecutor with the opinion of forensic experts, who quantified damages worth 10 billion crowns. Furthermore, the interrogation is devoted to Fischl’s work at the Ministry of Finance, where he was to be appointed by Rudolf Slánský. Fischl speaks of his aid to the “Jewish bourgeoisie” in exporting property, in connection with its mass emigration to Israel and other capitalist states. The Prosecutor then asks Fischl about the names of the accomplices in the matter. The film ends with the former Deputy Minister’s answer to the Prosecutor’s next question, how he should have agreed with Slánský and Geminder in case their support for the Zionists and the export of property were revealed.
Technical note: Trial, III., Part 15 and 16; film is identical with films K35-10, K35-79, and K35-75.

 


 4-2/1, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/553 m/18:57, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the fifth day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 24 November with the interrogation of Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, who at the beginning of his testimony pleads guilty to all charges and gives concrete examples of his activities before and after 1945. Šling mentions, for example, his stay in England during World War II, his cooperation with Edvard Beneš, “espionage contact” with officials of the British Committee (later the Trust Fund), etc. Further, Šling speaks about his work as the leading Regional Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno and about the deployment of cadres in cooperation with Rudolf Slánský. He lists Vladimír Lenc, Růžena Dubová, Jaroslav Kvis and others, whom he was to install in party structures. In answer to Prosecutor’s question, what was his “enemy activity” in the field of industry, Šling mentions the “collaborator” Ing. Ryšánek, who was to be promoted to the position of corporate director of Pozemní stavby [Building Constructions] in Brno, or Ing. Sázavský, whom he was to appoint as director of the sugar factory in Slavkov. Šling also speaks about the conference of factory owners and wholesalers just after the nationalization of their companies, which he was to organize in March 1948 with the knowledge of Slánský et al.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 1 and 2; film is identical with films K35-36, K35-52, and K35-195.

 


 4-2/2, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/553 m/19:02, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory titles and a signature tune represents a film montage from the fifth day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., commenced on 20 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The trial continues on 24 November with the interrogation of Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, who at the beginning of his testimony pleads guilty to all charges and gives concrete examples of his activities before and after 1945. Šling mentions, for example, his stay in England during World War II, his cooperation with Edvard Beneš, “espionage contact” with officials of the British Committee (later the Trust Fund), etc. Further, Šling speaks about his work as the leading Regional Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno and about the deployment of cadres in cooperation with Rudolf Slánský. He lists Vladimír Lenc, Růžena Dubová, Jaroslav Kvis and others, whom he was to install in party structures. In answer to Prosecutor’s question, what was his “enemy activity” in the field of industry, Šling mentions the “collaborator” Ing. Ryšánek, who was to be promoted to the position of corporate director of Pozemní stavby [Building Constructions] in Brno, or Ing. Sázavský, whom he was to appoint as director of the sugar factory in Slavkov. Šling also speaks about the conference of factory owners and wholesalers just after the nationalization of their companies, which he was to organize in March 1948 with the knowledge of Slánský et al.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 1 and 2; film is identical with films K35-5, K35-52, and K35-195.

 


 4-2/3, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/291 m/8:19, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. Šling testifies on his close cooperation with Rudolf Slánský since April 1945. In this context, he mentions Marie Švermová, who was to be a “possible intercessor” for his person with Slánský. Šling also speaks about being asked by Slánský to find a doctor for the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Klement Gottwald. According to Šling, this was to happen in the person of MUDr. Ladislav Haas. At the end of his testimony, the former Regional Secretary evaluates the crimes of which he is accused. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Václav Patzák and Hanuš Lomský.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 3; film is identical with films K35-4 and K35-50.

 


 4-2/4, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/291 m/8:20, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Otto Šling, former Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Brno, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 24 November 1952. Šling testifies on his close cooperation with Rudolf Slánský since April 1945. In this context, he mentions Marie Švermová, who was to be a “possible intercessor” for his person with Slánský. Šling also speaks about being asked by Slánský to find a doctor for the Chairman of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Klement Gottwald. According to Šling, this was to happen in the person of MUDr. Ladislav Haas. At the end of his testimony, the former Regional Secretary evaluates the crimes of which he is accused. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of the testifying witnesses Václav Patzák and Hanuš Lomský.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 3; film is identical with films K35-37 and K35-50.

4-2/5, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/188 m, 312 m/16:57, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Karel Šváb, former Deputy Minister of National Security, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Šváb testifies on his behaviour and cooperation with the Nazis during his imprisonment in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he was to perform the function of a table leader and later a vorarbeiter [foreman]. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Šváb confesses to the abuse and robbery of his fellow prisoners on food. The former Deputy Minister also speaks about his post-war return to Czechoslovakia, when he was – burdened by war crimes – to commit himself to cooperation with Rudolf Slánský and to engage in “enemy activities of the anti-state centre” (He mentions a letter from August 1945, which was to be written by his fellow prisoner Jaroslav Heřman. According to a title, Šváb testifies on “covering up the enemy activities of members of the conspiracy centre”, such as a group of “Slovak bourgeois nationalists” led by Vlado Clementis (in this context he speaks of Věra Hložková’s testimony in 1948, which was to expose the group). The Prosecutor also asks Šváb about Bedřich Reicin’s activities in the army; during his testimony, he presents him with selected “incriminating” documents about Reicin for inspection. In another part of the interrogation, the former Deputy Minister testifies at the instruction of the Prosecutor on the case of the son of the former Chief of the General Staff Bohumil Boček. At the end of the film, Karel Šváb is interrogated about the activities of Bedřich Geminder. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of three testifying witnesses Osvald Závodský, Věra Hložková, and Oskar Valášek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 4 and 5; film is identical with films K35-6, K35-47, and K35-48.


4-2/6, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/500 m/17:03, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Karel Šváb, former Deputy Minister of National Security, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Šváb testifies on his behaviour and cooperation with the Nazis during his imprisonment in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he was to perform the function of a table leader and later a vorarbeiter [foreman]. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Šváb confesses to the abuse and robbery of his fellow prisoners on food. The former Deputy Minister also speaks about his post-war return to Czechoslovakia, when he was – burdened by war crimes – to commit himself to cooperation with Rudolf Slánský and to engage in “enemy activities of the anti-state centre” (He mentions a letter from August 1945, which was to be written by his fellow prisoner Jaroslav Heřman. According to a title, Šváb testifies on “covering up the enemy activities of members of the conspiracy centre”, such as a group of “Slovak bourgeois nationalists” led by Vlado Clementis (in this context he speaks of Věra Hložková’s testimony in 1948, which was to expose the group). The Prosecutor also asks Šváb about Bedřich Reicin’s activities in the army; during his testimony, he presents him with selected “incriminating” documents about Reicin for inspection. In another part of the interrogation, the former Deputy Minister testifies at the instruction of the Prosecutor on the case of the son of the former Chief of the General Staff Bohumil Boček. At the end of the film, Karel Šváb is interrogated about the activities of Bedřich Geminder. At the end, the film is complemented by short silent shots of three testifying witnesses Osvald Závodský, Věra Hložková, and Oskar Valášek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 4 and 5; film is identical with films K35-35, K35-47, and K35-48.


4-2/7, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/304 m, 290 m/20:16, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Reicin testifies on his earlier life, “bourgeois and religious” upbringing, and entry into the Komsomol in 1926. The former Deputy Minister confesses to cooperation with the Nazis during the occupation, including the giving of Julius Fučík and his fellow workers from the editorial staff of Rudé právo [Red Justice] newspaper away to the Gestapo. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin speaks about his activities in the army before and after 1945. In this context, he mentions his connection with the “Beneš bourgeois clique” and Rudolf Slánský, which was supposed to lead to the sabotage of the Košice Government Programme. At the end of the film, Reicin confesses to the extensive espionage he was to carry out with accomplices in command of the Czechoslovak army for the benefit of the West. In the next part of the film, Reicin testifies on cooperation with the Gestapo and the tasks from Superintendant Elbers, which he was entrusted with. In this context, the Prosecutor submits to the Court a photocopy of the Gestapo report, “convicting” Reicin – after looking at the document, he confirms the contents to the Court. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin names the persons, Communists in illegality, whom he had been reporting to the Gestapo (Oldřich Hlas, Stanislav Brunclík); he also speaks in detail about his contacts with Julius Fučík, through whom he was to connect with the party’s illegal central leadership (e.g. functionary Václav Křen). The Prosecutor is also interested in Reicin’s departure for the USSR, which was to be allowed by the “German fascists”. The former Deputy Minister speaks about his meeting with Rudolf Slánský in Moscow in the beginning of 1941, he also mentions his internment by the Soviet authorities (on 25 June 1941) and the establishment of contact in the Oranki camp with “anti-Soviet elements” from the military group of Col. Ludvík Svoboda.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-26, K35-53, and K35-46.


4-2/8, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/594 m/20:14, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. After initial plea of guilty to charges, Reicin testifies on his earlier life, “bourgeois and religious” upbringing, and entry into the Komsomol in 1926. The former Deputy Minister confesses to cooperation with the Nazis during the occupation, including the giving of Julius Fučík and his fellow workers from the editorial staff of Rudé právo [Red Justice] newspaper away to the Gestapo. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin speaks about his activities in the army before and after 1945. In this context, he mentions his connection with the “Beneš bourgeois clique” and Rudolf Slánský, which was supposed to lead to the sabotage of the Košice Government Programme. At the end of the film, Reicin confesses to the extensive espionage he was to carry out with accomplices in command of the Czechoslovak army for the benefit of the West. In the next part of the film, Reicin testifies on cooperation with the Gestapo and the tasks from Superintendant Elbers, which he was entrusted with. In this context, the Prosecutor submits to the Court a photocopy of the Gestapo report, “convicting” Reicin – after looking at the document, he confirms the contents to the Court. In the next part of the testimony, Reicin names the persons, Communists in illegality, whom he had been reporting to the Gestapo (Oldřich Hlas, Stanislav Brunclík); he also speaks in detail about his contacts with Julius Fučík, through whom he was to connect with the party’s illegal central leadership (e.g. functionary Václav Křen). The Prosecutor is also interested in Reicin’s departure for the USSR, which was to be allowed by the “German fascists”. The former Deputy Minister speaks about his meeting with Rudolf Slánský in Moscow in the beginning of 1941, he also mentions his internment by the Soviet authorities (on 25 June 1941) and the establishment of contact in the Oranki camp with “anti-Soviet elements” from the military group of Col. Ludvík Svoboda.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 6 and 7; film is identical with films K35-7, K35-53, and K35-46.


4-2/9, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/600 m/19:20, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Reicin testifies on his activities with the Czechoslovak military unit in Buzuluk and about the person of Col. Ludvík Svoboda. He confesses to popularizing Edvard Beneš in his book Sokolovo. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Reicin subsequently testifies on his “crimes” after 1945 in the position of Chief of Military Defence Intelligence, when he was to become at the same time an American-English spy. In this context, he was to provide information to Western diplomats and “spies” in Czechoslovakia, namely Woldik, Koenig and Mullens. Reicin testifies on his “espionage activities”, namely permitting the entry of foreign nationals into Czechoslovak industrial enterprises, and in this context mentions Generals Boček and Hanus, at whose request and with his consent similar visits were organized and accompanied. According to Reicin, the situation was similar in the case of visits by representatives of Western capitalist armies to Czechoslovak military training schools and special military units, based on the invitation of, among others, Minister Ludvík Svoboda. According to his former deputy, he was to invite an English signals specialist to the Czechoslovak Republic, accompanied by General Josef Marko in the liaison departments. In the next part of the interrogation, Reicin testifies on espionage missions by “Western imperialists” in the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 8 and 9; film is identical with films K35-42, K35-196, and K35-54.


4-2/10, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/292 m, 308 m/19:24, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Reicin testifies on his activities with the Czechoslovak military unit in Buzuluk and about the person of Col. Ludvík Svoboda. He confesses to popularizing Edvard Beneš in his book Sokolovo. At the instruction of the Prosecutor, Reicin subsequently testifies on his “crimes” after 1945 in the position of Chief of Military Defence Intelligence, when he was to become at the same time an American-English spy. In this context, he was to provide information to Western diplomats and “spies” in Czechoslovakia, namely Woldik, Koenig and Mullens. Reicin testifies on his “espionage activities”, namely permitting the entry of foreign nationals into Czechoslovak industrial enterprises, and in this context mentions Generals Boček and Hanus, at whose request and with his consent similar visits were organized and accompanied. According to Reicin, the situation was similar in the case of visits by representatives of Western capitalist armies to Czechoslovak military training schools and special military units, based on the invitation of, among others, Minister Ludvík Svoboda. According to his former deputy, he was to invite an English signals specialist to the Czechoslovak Republic, accompanied by General Josef Marko in the liaison departments. In the next part of the interrogation, Reicin testifies on espionage missions by “Western imperialists” in the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 8 and 9; film is identical with films K35-8, K35-196, and K35-54.


4-2/11, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/308 m/10:31, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. The film begins with a Prosecutor’s question, what instructions the “enemy command” of the army received from Dr. Edvard Beneš. Reicin testifies in detail on his participation in a secret military meeting in 1947 with Dr. Beneš at the Castle, with the participation of Minister Ludvík Svoboda and General Boček. According to Reicin, the President of the Republic, “himself an agent of Western imperialists”, was to speak out at this meeting against proceeding against “reactionary pro-Western officers.” The former Deputy Minister also discusses Beneš’s alleged statements at this meeting, which, according to the Prosecutor in agreement with Reicin, testified to his efforts to prepare the conditions for the creation of a fifth column in the army. In connection with Beneš, Reicin also mentions “western-oriented” generals: H. Píka, A. Hasal, A. Liška and K. Janoušek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 10; film is identical with films K35-9 and K35-58.


4-2/12, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/308 m/10:42, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the defendant Bedřich Reicin, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. The film begins with a Prosecutor’s question, what instructions the “enemy command” of the army received from Dr. Edvard Beneš. Reicin testifies in detail on his participation in a secret military meeting in 1947 with Dr. Beneš at the Castle, with the participation of Minister Ludvík Svoboda and General Boček. According to Reicin, the President of the Republic, “himself an agent of Western imperialists”, was to speak out at this meeting against proceeding against “reactionary pro-Western officers.” The former Deputy Minister also discusses Beneš’s alleged statements at this meeting, which, according to the Prosecutor in agreement with Reicin, testified to his efforts to prepare the conditions for the creation of a fifth column in the army. In connection with Beneš, Reicin also mentions “western-oriented” generals: H. Píka, A. Hasal, A. Liška and K. Janoušek.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 10; film is identical with films K35-38 and K35-58.


4-2/13, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV) SIXTH AND SEVENTH DAY OF THE TRIAL

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/290 m, 293 m/20:07, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with interrogation of the witness Vilém Nový, former Communist Party functionary and editor-in-chief of Rudé právo [Red Justice], before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 25 November 1952. Nový testifies on a meeting with Rudolf Slánský from the time of his work as the Regional Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in Moravská Ostrava. Slánský was to blame him for his poor attitude towards Czechoslovak Social Democracy, leading to its disintegration and the transition of membership in the Ostrava region to the ranks of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. According to Nový, Slánský acted as an “advocate” for the social democratic politicians B. Laušman and B. Vilím. Nový’s testimony and, together with it, the accompanying proceedings is ended in the film by the voice of the commentator, followed by the closing speech by the Chief Prosecutor Dr. Josef Urválek on 26 November 1952. At the end of the film, the writer and poet Vítězslav Nezval is captured on a camera shot of the benches for public present in the courtroom.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 11 and 12; film is identical with films K35-62 and K35-57.

4-2/14, rial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/279 m/9:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with the final part of the closing speech of the Chief Prosecutor Dr. Josef Urválek before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. The Prosecutor proposes punishments for defendants: “Citizens-judges, in the name of our nations, against whose freedom and happiness the criminals have risen, in the name of the peace against which they have shamefully conspired, I demand the death penalty for all defendants. May your judgment fall like an iron fist without the slightest mercy.”
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 13; film is identical with film K35-49.

 


4-2/15, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/289 m, 229 m/17:46, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with final word of the accused former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. Slánský comments on the closing speech of the State Prosecutor and his draft sentence, which he considers to be “the most just”. He claims to have the main responsibility for his crimes, but also for the crimes of his co-defendants. The former Secretary General also evaluates his activities in accordance with the charges, he confesses, among other things, to the culpability of Jan Šverma’s death, the plot against President Klement Gottwald’s life, and espionage in favour of “American imperialists”. Slánský also mentions his investigation by security authorities, whose behaviour he considers to be “absolutely correct”. At the end of his speech, he declares that he does not deserve an end other than the one proposed by the Prosecutor. The following are the last words of the defendants Bedřich Geminder and Ludvík Frejka, who, in the same way as Rudolf Slánský, plead guilty and show remorse. Frejka asks the Court to take into account that he has been truthfully testifying since the day of his arrest.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 14 and 15; film is identical with films K35-64 and K35-45.

 


4-2/16, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/386 m, 312 m/24:16, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film continues with final words of the defendants Josef Frank and Vladimír Clementis before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. Both Frank and Clementis regret their past actions and demand the harshest sentences for themselves. Clementis wishes his case to be a cautionary warning of the endings of a formal, registry membership in the Communist Party associated with volatility, betrayal of allegiance to the Party, and to the Soviet Union. The film continues with final words of Rudolf Margolius, Otto Fischl, Otto Šling, and André Simone before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague on 26 November 1952. All defendants plead guilty of serious crimes and demand the highest and harshest sentences for themselves.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 16 and 17; film is identical with films K35-51 and K35-56.

4-2/17, Trial of the Leadership of the Anti-State Conspiracy Centre (Part IV)

Production: Studio zpravodajských filmů, Praha [News Film Studio, Prague] / Year of production: 1952 / Document type: combined print / Format/length/duration: 35 mm/324 m/11:12, Image: B&W / Sound track/version: COMOPT/Czech / Collaboration on the film: P. Freimann, J. Janáček, J. Robek, K. Veselý, J. Franěk, M. Schmiedberger, O. Skalski

Film contents: The news film with introductory and closing signature tune and a brief period commentary represents a film montage from the eighth and last day of the trial of the former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Rudolf Slánský et al., held from 20 to 27 November 1952 before the Chamber of the State Court in Prague. The camera captured the entry of members of the Chamber to the courtroom in Prague in Pankrác. The Presiding Judge Dr. Jaroslav Novák gives a court verdict against R. Slánský and other defendants. Following the verdict, all defendants step forward before the Court and declare one by one that they accept the sentence and waive their remedies. State Prosecutor J. Urválek reserved the statutory deadline to express his opinion. Subsequently, the Presiding Judge Novák declares the trial closed. The film ends with a period propaganda commentary and a camera shot of the convicts leaving the courtroom.
Technical note: Trial, IV., Part 18; film is identical with film K35-55.

Audio recordings

PX 0730 

Opening of the main trial by the Presiding Judge JUDr. Jaroslav Novák. Names of defendants and defence counsels assigned to them.

Reading of the charges by the State Prosecutor JUDr. Josef Urválek.

 

PX 0731 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0732 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0733 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0734 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0735 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0736 

The State Prosecutor continues reading the charges.

 

PX 0737 

The State Prosecutor finishes reading the charges.

The Presiding Judge announces commencement of the interrogation of the accused and the evidentiary proceedings.

/The main trial adjourned until 1 p.m., when the interrogation of R. Slánský will begin./

 

PX 0738 

Interrogation of defendants begins. Rudolf Slánský called for questioning.
He pleads guilty, including guilt of Jan Šverma’s death during the Slovak National Uprising. Self-criticism. On the beginnings of his alleged enemy activity, the submission to Trotskyism.

 

PX O739 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
Slánský as an alleged agent of Hubert Ripka and Gen. Heliodor Píka in the USSR. Activities in Slovakia (1944), on the complicity in the death of Jan Šverma.

 

PX 0740 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On the complicity in the death of Jan Šverma. Slánský’s enemy activities after 1945. On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0741

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Slánský’s alleged connection to intelligence services (contacts with Labour Party politician Konni Zilliacus).

 

PX 0742 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Slánský’s alleged connection to intelligence services (contacts with Labour Party politician Konni Zilliacus, contacts with the Yugoslav “Titoist” agency of Moshe Piade: with embassy staff in Prague Djako Novosel and Barbarić).

 

PX 0743 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Contacts with the Yugoslav “Titoist” agency. On advancing of the so-called Zionists in the Czechoslovak Republic and connecting to their foreign organizations. On the role of the Israeli Ambassador to Prague Ehud Avri’el (born Georg Überall).

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes, until 3.10 p.m./

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues. On alleged support of Zionism, the USA and Israel through economic and financial machinations.

 

PX 0744 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On alleged support of Zionism, the USA and Israel through economic and financial machinations. Support for individuals from alleged Freemasonry organizations in the Czechoslovak Republic. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic.

 

PX 0745 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: influence within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and in the economic field.

 

PX 0746 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: in the economic field, in foreign trade, and in agriculture (including the so-called sabotage of Josef Smrkovský), consequences in foreign policy.

 

PX 0747 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues.
On building the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: in foreign policy.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: in the Czechoslovak army (including the “saboteurs” of Ludvík Svoboda and Bedřich Reicin).

 

PX 0748 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: in the Czechoslovak army and in the national security. Alleged plans to reverse people’s democratic development and seize power (infiltration within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia).

 

PX 0749 

The interrogation of R. Slánský continues. On the forms of subversive activity of the “conspiracy centre” in the Czechoslovak Republic: alleged plans to reverse people’s democratic development and seize power (infiltration within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, plan to eliminate K. Gottwald).

The State Prosecutor summarizes the guilty pleas made during the interrogation.

/Court session adjourned until 7.30 p.m., when the interrogation of witnesses will begin./

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Josef Vondráček called.
On his espionage activity, about his connection with R. Slánský.

 

PX 0750 

Interrogation of J. Vondráček completed.
The connection of R. Slánský with intelligence services.

Confrontation with the testimony of R. Slánský.

Witness Dr. Václav Vlk called.
On his contacts with Trotskyists. On the connection of the Trotskyists with R. Slánský and “his accomplices”. Sabotage activity.

Witness, former envoy Eduard Goldstücker called.
On espionage activities of Goldstücker and of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0754 

Interrogation of E. Goldstücker completed.
On espionage activities of Goldstücker and of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On connection with K. Zilliacus, on the execution of Slánský’s instructions.

Former embassy official Dr. Pavel Kavan called.
Alleged mediator of contacts between K. Zilliacus and R. Slánský.

 

PX 0753 

Interrogation of P. Kavan completed.
Contacting members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre with K. Zilliacus.

Witness Mordechaj Oren called.
On his espionage activity in Zionist organizations. On the connection of R. Slánský with Moche Piade and with the “Titoist” Yugoslavia. On the alleged connection to Zionists in Great Britain.

 

PX 0752

Interrogation of M. Oren completed.
On the alleged connection to Zionists in Great Britain. On the person of K. Zilliacus. On Oren’s written notes about R. Slánský.

Dr. Jaromír Kopecký, former envoy in Switzerland, called.
Alleged espionage contacts with the USA (with Allen Dulles). Alleged contacts of R. Slánský with A. Dulles. On hostile attitudes of Vladimír Clementis.

 

PX 0751 

Witness Oskar Langer called.
Alleged spy of American intelligence services and supporter of Zionism. On his stay in the USA. His tasks in the Czechoslovak Republic after 1946 and the alleged support from R. Slánský.

Witness Daniela Kaňkovská called.
Alleged spy for the USA in Germany. Contacts with alleged spy Herbert Kauders. Offer to R. Slánský to emigrate to the USA and to continue his treacherous activities from there.

/Court session adjourned until 21 November, 8 a.m./

PX 0768 

Interrogation of the accused begins. Bedřich Geminder (pseud. Jiří Vltavský) called.
He pleads guilty in full extent. On his contacts with R. Slánský, on mutual friendship. Geminder’s past and support of Zionism. Circle of collaborators in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

 

PX 0769 

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Activities and goals of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Tasking by R. Slánský.

 

PX 0770

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Activities and goals of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Infiltration into the party and state apparatus. Members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0771 

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre, circle of other collaborators. Connection to spy agencies. Tasking B. Geminder, ways of spy connection to K. Zilliacus.

The State Prosecutor submits evidences to the State Court.

 

PX 0772

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Tasking B. Geminder, ways of spy connection to K. Zilliacus. The role of V. Clementis in the whole conspiracy.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Gaining control over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by conspirators.

 

PX 0773

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Gaining control over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by conspirators, influencing foreign policy (the so-called Commission of the Five and the so-called Commission of the Three). Connection to foreign journalistic agencies.

 

PX 0774 

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Connection to foreign journalistic agencies. Activities of Richard Slánský and André Simone. Geminder’s contacts to K. Zilliacus.

 

PX 0775 

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Connection of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre to “Titoist” Yugoslavia.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Connection of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre to “Titoist” Yugoslavia.

 

PX 0776 

Interrogation of B. Geminder continues.
Connection of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre to “Titoist” Yugoslavia. Activities of the Israeli embassy in Prague, official emigration operations, the influence of Trotskyists and Zionist organizations.

 

PX 0777

Interrogation of B. Geminder completed.
On the plans of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre to gain power in the Czechoslovak Republic and remove K. Gottwald.

/Court session adjourned until 1.30 p.m./

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Employee of the Institute of History of Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Pavel Reiman called.
On strengthening Zionist organizations in the Czechoslovak Republic and emigration to Israel. Contacts with K. Šváb. On volunteers training for Israel.

 

PX 0778 

Former Head of the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eugen Klinger called.
On his activities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until his arrest.

Interrogation of the accused begins. Dr. Vladimír Clementis called.
He pleads guilty. On his activity as a so-called Slovak “bourgeois nationalist” and spy.

 

PX 0779

Interrogation of V. Clementis continues.
On his activity as a so-called Slovak “bourgeois nationalist” and spy. Contacts with the Czechoslovak government in exile in London (E. Beneš), alleged espionage for France.

 

PX 0780 

Interrogation of V. Clementis continues.
On his activity as a so-called Slovak “bourgeois nationalist” and spy. Alleged subversive activity in Slovakia together with G. Husák and L. Novomeský after 1945. Connection to President E. Beneš. Contacts with Western embassies in Prague.

 

PX 0781

Interrogation of V. Clementis continues.
Contacts with Western embassies in Prague, infiltration into key positions of the apparatus and government in the Czechoslovak Republic after 1945 (according to the instructions of R. Slánský). Activity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of V. Clementis continues.
Infiltration into key positions of the apparatus and government in the Czechoslovak Republic after 1945 (according to the instructions of R. Slánský). Activity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after 1948. The so-called Commission of the Five.

 

PX 0782

Interrogation of V. Clementis continues.
Infiltration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after 1948. The so-called Commission of the Five and Commission of the Three (R. Slánský directives). Connection with K. Zilliacus.

/Court session adjourned for 20 minutes./

 

PX 0795 

Interrogation of V. Clementis completed.
Cooperation with A. Simone, his foreign contacts.

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Jaroslav Jirčík called.
On his activities as French police officer in Paris, his contacts. On the espionage activities of V. Clementis since 1939.

 

PX 0796

Interrogation of J. Jirčík completed.
On the espionage activities of V. Clementis in France.

Witness Ladislav Novomeský called.
On the formation of the so-called Slovak bourgeois nationalists around the “DAV” magazine, the role of V. Clementis. Enemy activity after 1945 carried out by V. Clementis.

 

PX 0797 

Interrogation of Ladislav Novomeský completed.
On the activities of the so-called bourgeois nationalists in Slovakia, on his own espionage activities.

Witness Ivan Horváth, former diplomat, called.
On the activities of the so-called bourgeois nationalists in Slovakia, alleged gain of control over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

/Court session adjourned until 22 November, 8.15 a.m./

PX 0798 

Interrogation of the accused begins. Interrogation of V. Clementis completed.
Clementis as an alleged agent of the London government of Edvard Beneš.

Artur London called for interrogation.
He pleads guilty. On the beginnings of his anti-state activities (Trotskyist group of International Brigadiers in France). The role of R. Slánský. Objectives of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0799 

Interrogation of A. London continues.
On the beginnings of his anti-state activities (Trotskyist group of International Brigadiers in France). The role of R. Slánský and B. Geminder. A. London’s activities within the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (personnel policy), members of this conspiracy. Role of K. Zilliacus.

 

PX 0800 

Interrogation of A. London continues.
London’s activities within the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (personnel policy). Role of K. Zilliacus. Spy reports for agent Noel Field. The role of envoy Antonín Hašek.

 

PX 0836 

Interrogation of A. London continues.
The role of A. Simone in the conspiracy. The activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of A. London continues.
On the activities of conspirators in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in representative offices, the so-called Commission of the Three and Commission of the Five.
The Prosecutor submits to the Court 13 photocopies of evidence against A. London.

 

PX 0837 

Interrogation of A. London completed.
The Prosecutor submits to the Court 13 photocopies of evidence against A. London.
On the activities of conspirators in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, purposive personnel changes.

 

PX 0838 

Interrogation of defendants continues. Dr. Vavro Hajdů called.
He pleads guilty. London exile during the war, on the beginnings of his own anti-state activities (forms and methods of alleged espionage for Great Britain).

 

PX 0839 

Interrogation of V. Hajdů continues.
His activities in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre, personnel representation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tasking by R. Slánský and B. Geminder.

 

PX 0840 

Interrogation of V. Hajdů continues.
His activities in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Tasking by R. Slánský and V. Clementis, their interventions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

PX 0841 

Interrogation of V. Hajdů completed.
Tasking by R. Slánský and V. Clementis, influencing the foreign policy of the Czechoslovak Republic. On the alleged espionage activities of V. Hajdů during contacts with the British and French embassies in Prague. The Prosecutor submits to the Court another 20 pieces of evidence.

/Court session adjourned until 1.30 p.m./

 

PX 0842 

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Karel Dufek called.
He used to work in the staff section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the activities of B. Geminder, V. Hajdů, V. Clementis, and A. London: influencing the personnel situation in foreign Czechoslovak embassies.

 

PX 0843 

Interrogation of witness K. Dufek completed.
Activities of A. London and V. Hajdů: influencing the personnel situation in foreign Czechoslovak embassies, personnel policy of V. Clementis and B. Geminder in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Witness Vlastimil Borek called.
He used to work as a Deputy Foreign Minister. The beginnings of his activities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, personnel conditions. On the activities of V. Hajdů, K. Dufek, and A. London.

 

PX 0844 

Interrogation of witness V. Borek completed.
The activities of the so-called Commission of the Three and the Commission of the Five. The activity of B. Geminder.

Interrogation of the accused begins. André Simone (born Otto Katz) called.
He pleads guilty. On the beginnings of his treacherous activities, alleged pre-war espionage for France and Great Britain.

 

PX 0845 

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
On alleged espionage for Great Britain and the USA. Arrival in the Czechoslovak Republic in March 1946, contacts with R. Slánský.

 

PX 0846 

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
Contacts with R. Slánský and the beginnings of enemy cooperation. Involvement of A. Simone in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (interventions of R. Slánský in the content of Rudé právo [Red Justice] daily).

 

PX 0847 

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
Connection with V. Clementis. Tasking by R. Slánský (idea of a publication about February 1948).

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
Intelligence and cover-up journalistic contacts after 1946, transmission of espionage reports.

 

PX 0848

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
Intelligence and cover-up journalistic contacts after 1946, transmission of espionage reports.

 

PX 0823 

Interrogation of A. Simone continues.
Intelligence and cover-up journalistic contacts in 1947, transmission of espionage reports (role of R. Slánský and B. Geminder). He renounces Trotskyism, makes self-criticism.

 

PX 0824 

Interrogation of A. Simone completed.
Self-criticism: “…I belong on the gallows” (!).

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness, constructor Josef Just called.
Contacts with A. Simone in 1946 in Paris, on Simone’s espionage activities.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of the accused begins. Ludvík Frejka (born Georg Freund) called.
He pleads guilty, connection to alleged spies K. Zilliacus and H. Field.

 

PX 0825 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
On the activities and goals of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (thwarting the goals of the Two-Year and Five-Year Plans). Frejka’s post-Munich journey to alleged sabotage and betrayal (espionage for Great Britain).

 

PX 0826 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Beginning of his activity in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (filling key positions in the National Economic Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and in individual ministries).

 

PX 0827

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
His activities in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (filling key positions in ministries, industry, and control bodies). Gaining control over the Central National Economic and Planning Commission, regional national economic bodies. Central Union of Industry.

 

PX 0828

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Procedures and goals of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

/Court session adjourned until 7.15 p.m./

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Passing espionage messages on to Western agencies: establishing contacts with K. Zilliacus.

 

PX 0829 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Passing espionage messages on to Western agencies: establishing contacts with K. Zilliacus (reports on fulfilment of the Two-Year Plan). Contacts of R. Slánský and the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre with K. Zilliacus. Contacts of L. Frejka with the alleged spy H. Field.

 

PX 0830 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Contacts of L. Frejka with H. Field (reports on the status of the Two-Year Plan and the status of Czechoslovak economy). Alleged sabotage plans and directives of R. Slánský, efforts to hinder the development of heavy industry.

 

PX 0831 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Alleged sabotage plans and directives of R. Slánský, efforts to hinder the development of heavy industry, unnecessary preference of light industry.

 

PX 0832 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Alleged sabotage plans and directives of R. Slánský, efforts to hamper the development of the raw material base and development in the field of power industry.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Damages in the area of investment planning (reading an expert opinion on losses during the reconstruction of ironworks in Třinec). On building of unnecessary plants (reading an expert opinion on losses during the construction of a tractor plant in Líšeň near Brno).

 

PX 0833 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
On unnecessary investment construction, reports for US agent Taub. Reading an expert opinion on the construction of a tire plant in Púchov and Otrokovice. On the construction of a rolling mill in the Ostrava region and a mineral oil refinery in Slovakia.

 

PX 0834 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Intentional non-inclusion of important buildings in the construction plan. Unpreparedness of projects and significant amount of unfinished constructions. Influencing the Five-Year Plan and the foreign trade balance.

 

PX 0835 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
Sabotage in the field of scientific and technical cooperation (patents and licenses). Finance (compensation for nationalization), pricing and supply policy. The role of Josef Frank.

 

PX 1103 

Interrogation of L. Frejka continues.
The role of Josef Frank in pricing and supplying the population. The so-called SPH system in national enterprises. Contacts with the so-called Titoist clique in Yugoslavia.

 

PX 1104 

Interrogation of L. Frejka completed.
Contacts with the so-called Titoist clique in Yugoslavia, economic support to the regime there.

/Court session adjourned until Sunday, 23 November 1952, 8.15 p.m./

PX 1105

R. Slánský additionally confirms Frejka’s testimony and accepts responsibility for crimes stated in it.

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Dr. Ivan Holý called.
His involvement in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre at the initiative of R. Slánský, tasking by R. Slánský and L. Frejka.
Confrontation with R. Slánský and L. Frejka.

 

PX 1106

Interrogation of witness I. Holý completed.
Confrontation with L. Frejka.
Confrontation with R. Slánský.

Witness Bedřich Hájek (born Karpeles) called.
On the enemy activity of L. Frejka. Tasking by R. Slánský: influencing the staffing of Czechoslovak embassies, staffing of electoral lists for the National Assembly.

 

PX 1107

Interrogation of B. Hájek completed.

Witness JUDr. Vojtěch Jančík (called Jung) called.
On his activities in the National Economy Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Directives of R. Slánský and L. Frejka for personnel policy, tasking. On the personnel policy of E. Löbl and R. Margolius.

 

PX 1108

Interrogation of V. Jančík completed.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of the accused begins. Josef Frank called.
He pleads guilty (list of crimes). The beginnings of his treacherous activity. Buchenwald concentration camp.

 

PX 1109

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Frank on the list of war criminals. Contact with R. Slánský. Frank’s post-war, allegedly criminal and treacherous offenses.

 

PX 1110

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
The beginnings of his activity in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Connection of R. Slánský with K. Zilliacus and H. Field. Personnel measures, J. Frank’s share in this activity (National Economic Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia).

 

PX 1111

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Personnel measures, J. Frank’s share in this activity. Filling of key official positions.

 

PX 1112

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Forms of sabotage activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Forms of sabotage activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1113

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Forms of sabotage activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (examples).

 

PX 1114 

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Forms of sabotage activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Examples from the field of industry and socialization of the village.

 

PX 1115 

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Forms of sabotage activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Examples from the field of village socialization, activities of agricultural cooperatives and State Estates. Finance: tied deposits and loans. Personnel measures. Alleged sabotages by J. Smrkovský in agriculture (examples).

 

PX 1129 

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Alleged sabotages by J. Smrkovský in agriculture (examples). On other activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

/Court session adjourned until 2 p.m./

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Covering activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Destructive activities within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

 

PX 1130

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Destructive activities within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, alleged infiltration into party, governmental, and social organizations.

 

PX 1131

Interrogation of J. Frank continues.
Alleged attempt to infiltrate the Czechoslovak army and the National Security Corps. Building a media image of R. Slánský. On the alleged attempt to isolate K. Gottwald and seize power (“…Slánský would be willing to even assassinate the party chairman”).

 

PX 1132

Interrogation of J. Frank completed.
On the alleged attempt to isolate K. Gottwald and seize power. “Covering tracks” after arrests of the culprits began.

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Reading from Rudolf Šmejkal’s testimony.

Witness Marie Švermová called.
Self-criticism. On the activities of Josef Frank. On the activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1133

Interrogation of M. Švermová completed.
On the activities of Josef Frank and the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On the relationship with O. Šling.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of defendants begins. Evžen Löbl called.
He pleads guilty and confesses to having contacts with enemy agents. Objectives of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On the beginnings of Löbl’s treacherous activity.

 

PX 1134

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On the beginnings of Löbl’s treacherous activity (cooperation with H. Ripka). On abuse of US aid UNRRA. On the goals and personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (close contacts with L. Frejka).

 

PX 1135

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On the goals and personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. National Economic Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Involvement of E. Löbel in enemy activity and alleged espionage.

 

PX 1136

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On drafting and sending spy reports (H. Field, N. Field, K. Zilliacus, etc.).

 

PX 1137

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On sending spy reports (K. Zilliacus, etc.).

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On sending spy reports (Ehud Avri’el Überall). On other of Löbl’s allegedly anti-state activities.

 

PX 1138

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On other of Löbl’s allegedly anti-state activities (contacts with Israeli and American spies).

 

PX 1139

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
On other of Löbl’s allegedly anti-state activities: loss-making and unnecessary foreign trade transactions, incorrect pricing policy.

 

PX 1140

Interrogation of E. Löbl continues.
Modification of original production programmes and foreign sales representation, alleged support for treacherous emigration. The so-called compensation for nationalized property, manipulation in foreign trade.

 

PX 0932

Interrogation of E. Löbl completed.
Manipulation in foreign trade, influencing foreign (business) activities of state enterprises and companies. On the connection to the “Titoist” political establishment in Yugoslavia.

Question of the defence counsel.

R.Slánský confirms Löbl’s testimony and takes responsibility for his errors.
L. Frejka also confirms Löbl’s testimony.

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Dagmar Kacerovská called.
On her collaboration with an official and correspondent for The Times. On passing espionage reports from E. Löbl on to this journalist.

 

PX 0933 

Interrogation of D. Kacerovská completed.
Spy reports from E. Löbl, on their content. On a disadvantageous contract with Alcron company. Contact of V. Clementis and R. Slánský with a journalist of The Times magazine.

V. Clementis complements the witness’s testimony.

Witness Josef Hofman called.
On sabotage in the area of foreign trade control, damage to foreign exchange (examples).

 

PX 0934

Interrogation of J. Hofman completed.
On sabotage in the area of foreign trade control, damage to foreign exchange (examples).

/Court session adjourned until 24 November, 8.15 p.m./

PX 0935 

Interrogation of defendants begins. Rudolf Margolius called.
He pleads guilty (espionage and disadvantageous transactions in the field of foreign trade). The beginnings of his enemy activity. Contacts with E. Löbl, integration into the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0936

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Contacts with E. Löbl, integration into the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. Main goals. The ways of espionage activities by R. Margolius.

 

PX 0937

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Contacting alleged foreign spies (K. Zilliacus, Lord Straboldi, L. Brenner), close cooperation with E. Löbl and L. Frejka.

 

PX 0938

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Contacting alleged foreign spies (L. Brenner, O. W. Winter, A. Taub, E. Avri’el Überall), close cooperation with E. Löbl and L. Frejka. Disadvantageous sales of property, purchases and resale of goods and raw materials. The so-called Operation Überall.

 

PX 0939 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Contacting alleged foreign spies (E. Avri’el Überall). The so-called Operation Überall, the so-called Dollar Offensive. On the decline in exports to the USA and incorrect exports of goods to Israel.

 

PX 0940 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Disadvantageous trade agreements and incorrect export of goods to Israel.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Disadvantageous trade agreements and export of goods to capitalist countries. The example of Great Britain and South American states. The critical supply of meat in the Czechoslovak Republic.

 

PX 0941 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
On the critical supply of meat and grain in the Czechoslovak Republic. Machining mediation by Merkuria company. On the policy of deliberate high indebtedness of the Czechoslovak Republic.

 

PX 0900 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
On the policy of deliberate high indebtedness of the Czechoslovak Republic: unilateral advantages for foreign companies in trade with the Czechoslovak Republic, sabotage of trade with the USSR and people’s democratic states. Hostile pricing policy (so-called “M” account and inconvenient transaction deadlines).

 

PX 0901 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Sabotage of trade with the USSR and people’s democratic states, hostile pricing policy. On the alleged financial support for Czechoslovak exile (network of commercial representatives). Payment of unjustified compensation for nationalized property.

 

PX 0902 

Interrogation of R. Margolius continues.
Payment of unjustified compensation for nationalized property (the so-called split-off percentage of exports, the so-called replacement agreements). Examples of companies and concerns. Economic goals of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0903 

Interrogation of R. Margolius completed.
He regrets his alleged crimes.
His testimony is confirmed by Ludvík Frejka and he accepts complicity in the stated errors.

/Court session adjourned until 1.30 p.m./

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness, official Vladimír Blažek called.
On the sabotage of E. Löbl in trade relations with the USSR (pricing policy). Examples.

His statement is confirmed by E. Löbl.

 

PX 0904

Interrogation of the accused begins. Otto Fischl called.
He pleads guilty and confesses close cooperation with B. Geminder. On the beginnings of enemy activity and cooperation with R. Slánský. On the settlement of the Slánský family property. Objectives of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 0905

Interrogation of O. Fischl continues.
Personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre in party and state bodies. On sabotage activities in the financial and economic field (Ministry of Finance). Tasking by R. Slánský. Emigration actions of Jews under the influence of the Zionist movement.

 

PX 0906 

Interrogation of O. Fischl continues.
On sabotage activities in the financial and economic field (Ministry of Finance). Emigration actions of Jews, connection to foreign representatives of Zionism.

 

PX 0907 

Interrogation of O. Fischl continues.
Emigration actions of Jews, connection to foreign representatives of Zionism. Examples of criminal activity.

 

PX 0908

Interrogation of O. Fischl completed.
Examples of illegal transfer of property, so-called replacement contracts, on the payment of interest on pre-war loans.

The Prosecutor submits further evidence of the activities of O. Fischl.

Additional question of Fischl’s defence counsel.

Reading the witness protocol of witness JUDr. Alexander Goldstein, a former lawyer in Michalovce.

 

PX 0909

Testimony of witness JUDr. Alexander Goldstein, former lawyer in Michalovce, completed.

/Court session adjourned for 20 minutes./

Interrogation of the accused begins. Otto Šling called.
He pleads guilty. On the beginnings of his enemy activity, on making spy contacts. Involvement in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre, enemy personnel policy.

 

PX 0910 

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On establishing contacts with R. Slánský. On espionage contacts and involvement in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

/Court session briefly interrupted by the Court at the initiative of the person interrogated./

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On his espionage contacts with exile during the war (E. Voska, J. Bělina, V. Pacák).

 

PX 0911

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On his espionage contacts with exile during the war (E. Voska, J. Bělina), Czech Refugee Trust Fund organisation.

 

PX 0912

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On his espionage contacts with exile during the war (E. Voska, J. Bělina), the Czech Refugee Trust Fund organisation. On Šling’s cooperation with this organization.

 

PX 0913

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On Šling’s cooperation with the Czech Refugee Trust Fund during war. Activity in organisation Mladé Československo [Young Czechoslovakia]. On the activities of President E. Beneš’s government in exile in London.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On Šling’s espionage activities during the war (contact with British official Hamson).

 

PX 0914

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On Šling’s espionage activities during the war (contact with British official Hamson). Contacts with R. Slánský, appointment to a new position. Members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre installed by R. Slánský.

 

PX 1200

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
Members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre installed by R. Slánský. Their other alleged allies. On the enemy activities of O. Šling within this organized group.

 

PX 1201 

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
On the enemy activities of O. Šling within the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. His Brno party headquarters. Alleged sabotage of socialist development in the region (heavy engineering and agriculture).

 

/Magnetic tape no. PX 1202 missing: continuation of the interrogation of Otto Šling./

 

PX 1203

Interrogation of O. Šling continues.
His Brno party headquarters. The alleged attempt to gain control over cadres in the Czechoslovak army, State Security, and National Security Corps. On the role of regional secretaries of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

Three questions of the defence counsel for O. Šling.

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Reading the testimony of Emanuel Voska.

 

PX 1204

Witness Václav Pacák called.
On the contacts with O. Šling and on the espionage cooperation of both with E. Voska and J. Bělina.

Reading the witness protocol of Emanuel Voska.

Witness Hanuš Lomský (born Gabriel Lieben) called.
On the directives of R. Slánský as the head of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1205

Interrogation of witness H. Lomský continues.
On the directives of R. Slánský as the head of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. On his close cooperation with O. Šling. On the enemy activity of J. Frank.

 

PX 1206

Interrogation of witness H. Lomský completed.
On the enemy activity of J. Frank and O. Šling. Objectives of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

Question of the defence counsel.

/Court session adjourned until 25 November, 8.15 a.m./

PX 1207

Interrogation of defendants begins. Karel Šváb called.
He pleads guilty. On the beginnings of his enemy activities during the war. Post-war cooperation with R. Slánský. Creation of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1208

Interrogation of K. Šváb continues.
On the staffing of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre and its activities (especially of V. Clementis, B. Reicin, B. Geminder).

 

PX 1209

Interrogation of K. Šváb continues.
On the coverage of N. Field’s espionage activities in the Czechoslovak Republic. On the suicide of V. Veselá in custody. Coverage of other spies in Czechoslovakia (Kević, Kolakovič, B. Bíhal, K. Zilliacus). Coverage of Zionist organizations in Czechoslovakia.

 

PX 1210

Interrogation of K. Šváb continues.
Coverage and operation of Zionist organizations in the Czechoslovak Republic. Coverage of alleged domestic Trotskyists (Erban, Kriegel, Fišer). R. Slánský’s instructions for K. Šváb (concerning the torture of arrested persons).

 

PX 1211 

Interrogation of K. Šváb completed.
R. Slánský’s instructions for K. Šváb (concerning the torture of arrested persons). Sabotage activities and coverage of co-workers in the National Security Corps.

/Court session adjourned for 20 minutes./

 

PX 1212

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Osvald Závodský called.
Former commander of the State Security. On the coverage of the activities of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre and the enemy activities of K. Šváb. Coverage of the enemy activities of A. London and former International Brigadiers.

 

PX 1213 

Interrogation of the witness O. Závodský completed.
Coverage of the enemy activities of A. London and former International Brigadiers and Trotskyists.

Witness Věra Hložková called.
Convicted of espionage. About Šváb’s influence on her testimony by threats and violence (he allegedly wanted to cover up Slovak nationalists).

Reading the testimony of Anna Vacková, née Písková.
On the enemy activities of K. Šváb and B. Reicin.

 

PX 1214

Witness Oskar Valášek (Weiss) called.
Former security officer at Central Committee of the Communist Party of Slovakia. On the tasking by K. Šváb and J. Pavel in the State Security. The case of the arrested J. Trojan. On the emigration of Jews from Czechoslovakia.

 

PX 1215

Interrogation of O. Valášek completed. On the emigration of Jews from Czechoslovakia.

Interrogation of the accused begins. Bedřich Reicin called.
He pleads guilty. On the beginnings of his enemy activity (self-criticism, enemy activity during the occupation period).

 

PX 1216

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
On the beginnings of his enemy activity (during the occupation alleged cooperation with the Gestapo).

/Court session adjourned until 1.30 p.m./

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
On the beginnings of his enemy activity (during the occupation alleged cooperation with the Gestapo, subsequent activity in Svoboda’s army in the USSR).

 

PX 1217 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
On the beginnings of his enemy activity (activity in Svoboda’s army in the USSR in the Defence Intelligence department). Chief of Military Defence Intelligence after 1945, on the conduct of alleged espionage with US and UK diplomats.

 

PX 1218 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Chief of Military Defence Intelligence after 1945, on the conduct of alleged industrial espionage with US and UK diplomats. Coverage of collaborators in the Military Defence Intelligence.

 

PX 1219 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Chief of Military Defence Intelligence after 1945, on the conduct of alleged industrial espionage with US and UK diplomats. Allegedly enemy cooperation with Minister L. Svoboda and General Boček. Coverage of other collaborators in the Military Defence Intelligence (Vlček, Krajina, Sklenovský). On the allegedly enemy instructions of Dr. E. Beneš from the time of the government in exile in London.

 

PX 1220 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Coverage of other collaborators in the Military Defense Intelligence. On the allegedly enemy instructions of Dr. E. Beneš. R. Slánský’s relationship to the building of the Czechoslovak army and to the enemies of new conditions in the army. On the activities of B. Reicin in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (cooperation with R. Slánský).

 

PX 1221

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
On B. Reicin’s activities in the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre (initiated by R. Slánský), members of the conspiracy. Their goals. Personnel policy in the army.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre in the army after 1948. Šling’s activities in the Czechoslovak army.

 

PX 1222 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre in the army after 1948. Cooperation with R. Slánský, alleged sabotage of the Košice Government Programme.

 

PX 1223 

Interrogation of B. Reicin continues.
Personnel policy of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre in the army after 1948. Alleged espionage contacts with Yugoslav diplomats (Ivanović, Novosel, Ristić). On the theft of the Štěchovice archive of K. H. Frank.

 

PX 1224

Interrogation of B. Reicin completed.
Alleged espionage contacts with Yugoslav diplomats (Ristić). Connection of R. Slánský with Ristić.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

Interrogation of witnesses begins. Witness Gustav Freisleben called.
Technical officer in Prague and former Gestapo informer. On B. Reicin’s contacts with the Gestapo.

Witness Vladimír Hořký called.
Constructor in Prague. On B. Reicin’s contacts with the Yugoslav agent Novosel.

 

PX 1225

Interrogation of witness V. Hořký completed.
On B. Reicin’s contacts with the Yugoslav agent Novosel.

Reading witness protocol of former army General Bohumil Boček.
Reicin’s espionage in the army, contacts with Western diplomats.

Witness Gustava Fučíková, née Kodeřičová, called at her own request.
On the illegal activities of Julius Fučík during the war.

 

PX 1260

Interrogation of witness G. Fučíková completed.
On the illegal activities of Julius Fučík during the war, on suspicion denouncement of J. Fučík to the Gestapo by B. Reicin.

Witness Vilém Nový called.
Former editor-in-chief of Rudé právo [Red Justice] daily. On the enemy and sabotage activities of R. Slánský.

 

PX 1261 

Interrogation of V. Nový completed.
On the enemy and sabotage activities of R. Slánský. On the enemy activities of O. Šling and E. Löbl.

Witness Šimon Orenstein (Israeli citizen) called.
Former employee of the Israeli embassy in Prague. On the Zionist movement and the conditions for the establishment of the state of Israel.

 

PX 1262

Interrogation of Š. Orenstein continues.
On the Zionist movement and the conditions for the establishment of the state of Israel. On the activities of the Zionists in the Czechoslovak Republic. Orenstein’s enemy tasks in Czechoslovakia.

 

PX 1263

Interrogation of Š. Orenstein completed.
Orenstein’s enemy tasks and objectives in Czechoslovakia.

/Court session adjourned until 26 November, 8.15 a.m./

PX 1264

Reading the experts opinions from the field of planning, foreign trade and finance.

Expert opinion from the field of planning (Zdeněk Půček):
The need to rebuild the industry into heavy industry, changes in the export of goods (change in foreign trade), increasing defence. The goals of the conspiracy centre were different, assessed as misguided and very dangerous (threat of dependence on capitalist countries, excessive development of light industry, raw material problem, improper investment, restricting powers in planning, incorrect elaboration of the Five-Year Plan, incorrect concept of development). A more detailed description of the situation.

 

PX 1265 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of planning continues (Z. Půček).
A more detailed description of the situation (the problem of imports and exports, a change in the structure of engineering, incorrect elaboration of the Five-Year Plan, non-fulfilment of the plan and of individual contracts, preference for the textile industry).

 

PX 1266

Reading the expert opinion from the field of planning continues (Z. Půček).
A more detailed description of the situation (fall in the results of foreign trade, sabotage in investment construction, the problem of installed output of power plants).

 

PX 1267 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of planning continues (Z. Půček).
A more detailed description of the situation (problem of installed output of power plants, errors in the projects and construction of buildings, destruction of serviceable buildings, incorrect planning methodology and the absence of standards, the extent of damage caused by the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre).

 

PX 1268 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of planning completed (Z. Půček).
A more detailed description of the situation (the extent of damage caused by the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre, drawing personnel responsibility).

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Expert opinion from the field of foreign trade (Jan Souček):
Sabotage activity leading to dependence on the capitalist economy: the collapse of the so-called dollar offensive (intensive exports to the USA and “dollar” countries).

 

PX 1269 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of foreign trade continues (J. Souček).
Sabotage activity leading to dependence on the capitalist economy: the collapse of the so-called dollar offensive plan (intensive exports to the USA and “dollar” countries, the so-called “M” account to cover financial losses, insufficient business representation in the USA). Preference for light industry. Unlawful payment of compensation for nationalized property (companies Unilever and Georg Schicht, state contract with Great Britain).

 

PX 1270 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of foreign trade continues (J. Souček).
Unlawful payment of compensation for nationalized property (companies Unilever and Georg Schicht, Great Britain). Disadvantageous loans from private banks. Disadvantageous treaty with Israel. Unconceptual and cheap export of goods abroad.

 

PX 1271 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of foreign trade continues (J. Souček).
Unconceptual and cheap export of goods abroad. Unjustified devaluation discounts in 1949. Cooperation with friendly states hampered (so-called categorization of goods, non-fulfilment of investment supplies).

 

PX 1272 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of foreign trade completed (J. Souček).
Cooperation with friendly states hampered (non-fulfilment of investment supplies, insufficient price documentation). Summary of misconduct.

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

 

PX 1286 

Expert opinion from the field of finance (Josef Čekal):
Abuse of several legal provisions, circumvention of tax and foreign exchange regulations, unauthorized handling of restitution assets, unauthorized export of goods and enrichment from confiscations, facilitation of emigration, coverage of Zionists and fraudsters (dominant role of O. Fischl).

 

PX 1287 

Reading the expert opinion from the field of finance completed (J. Čekal).
Coverage of unfair practices of former factory owners, unauthorized payment of compensation to foreign companies (dominant role of O. Fischl). Fischl’s directives and relentless practices. The culprits and their goals.

Evidentiary proceedings closed.

/Court session adjourned until 2.15 p.m./

Closing speeches.

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor (Josef Urválek).
The situation in the world. General circumstances and nature of hostile acts of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1288 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
General circumstances and nature of hostile acts of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre. The share of R. Slánský.

 

PX 1289 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
The share of R. Slánský (the beginnings of betrayal, the share in the death of J. Šverma). Members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre and their accomplices. Gaining control of party, security and economic positions in the country.

 

PX 1290 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
The share of V. Clementis (to the alleged support of E. Beneš’s government in exile and separatism). On the activities of the Zionists in the Czechoslovak Republic, the share of O. Fischl and R. Slánský. Hostile activity of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1291 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
Hostile activity of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre under the leadership of R. Slánský. The conspirators’ goals: to make the country dependent on the United States, to sabotage the plan for economic restructuring, to implement erroneous investment construction.

 

PX 1292 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
Hostile activity of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre under the leadership of R. Slánský: implementation of erroneous investment construction, outages in power industry, sabotage in foreign trade and agriculture, interventions in the army.

 

PX 1293 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
Hostile activity of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre under the leadership of R. Slánský: interventions in the army and security, organized spy network.

 

PX 1294 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor continues.
Hostile activity of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre under the leadership of R. Slánský: organized spy network, the so-called Štěchovice archive, to the alleged attempt to remove K. Gottwald. Finding that the accused pleaded guilty to everything. On the moral profile of the accused.

 

PX 1295 

Closing speech of the State Prosecutor completed.
On the moral profile of the accused. Requirement of the death penalty for all accused.

/Court session adjourned for 15 minutes./

Closing speeches of defence counsels.

JUDr. Vladimír Bartoš (defence counsel of R. Slánský a R. Margolius).

 

PX 1296

Closing speech of defence counsel V. Bartoš continues.
(The mitigating circumstance is the full confession of both R. Slánský and R. Margolius already in the preparatory proceedings. In the case of R. Margolius, the absolute penalty is not appropriate.)

 

PX 1297 

Closing speech of defence counsel V. Bartoš completed.
(To the application of R. Margolius to apply the mitigating Section 29 (2) of Act No. 231/1948 Coll.)

JUDr. Vojtěch Pošmura (defence counsel of B. Geminder, K. Šváb, and E. Löbl).
(B. Geminder was in official and personal dependence on R. Slánský.)
(K. Šváb was to be abused and blackmailed by Slánský because of his protectorate past.)

JUDr. Jaromír Růžička (defence counsel of A. London, A. Simone, and L. Frejka).
(L. Frejka allegedly tasked by R. Slánský, fully confessed his guilt.)
(A. Simone fully pleaded guilty, being the only one supposedly to understand the horror of his conducts.)
(A. London long rejected R. Slánský’s initiatives and then was tasked by him. A lesser punishment is therefore appropriate.)

 

PX 1330 

JUDr. Jiří Šťastný (defence counsel of V. Clementis, J. Frank, and B. Reicin).
(Although J. Frank has been burdened with guilt since the time of the protectorate, he is nevertheless of workers’ origin and has fully pleaded guilty.)
(V. Clementis under the influence of Slovak bourgeois nationalism. He was a compliant tool of the enemy forces. He fully pleaded guilty.)
(B. Reicin: drawn attention to his alleged “superficiality” and “cowardice”. Guilt since the days of the protectorate. In the strong subordination dependence of R. Slánský.)

JUDr. Václav Synek (defence counsel of V. Hajdů, O. Fischl, and O. Šling).
(V. Hajdů fully pleaded guilty, was little proactive and fully tasked by his superiors.)

 

PX 1331

Closing speech of defence counsel V. Synek completed.
(The guilt of V. Hajdů is the weakest of all, which should be reflected in the sentence.)
(O. Fischl tasked by R. Slánský, fully pleaded guilty.)
(O. Šling: the influence of the Zionist environment and the stay in London, fully pleaded guilty.)

/Court session adjourned until 8 p.m./

 

PX 1332

Closing speeches of defendants.
Instruction (Presiding Judge JUDr. Jaroslav Novák).
Rudolf Slánský.
Bedřich Geminder.

 

PX 1333 

Closing speeches of defendants continue.
Ludvík Frejka.
Josef Frank.
Vladimír Clementis.

 

PX 1334 

Closing speeches of defendants continue.
Bedřich Reicin.
Karel Šváb.
Artur London.
Vavro Hajdů.
Evžen Löbl.

 

PX 1335 

Closing speeches of defendants completed.
Rudolf Margolius.
Otto Fischl.
Otto Šling.
André Simone.
(He is asking the Court for the death penalty.)

The Presiding Judge closes the hearing to discuss the judgment.

/Court session adjourned to 27 November, 9.30 a.m./

PX 1336

Pronouncing the verdict against defendants.
(Read by the Presiding Judge of the State Court in Prague JUDr. Jaroslav Novák.)

An outline of the situation and a summary of the nature and extent of the offenses of the members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

PX 1337 

Reading the verdict against defendants continues (Presiding Judge).

An outline of the situation and a summary of the nature and extent of the offenses of the members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1338 

Reading the verdict against defendants continues (Presiding Judge).

An outline of the situation and a summary of the nature and extent of the offenses of the members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

 

PX 1339 

Reading the verdict against defendants continues (Presiding Judge).

An outline of the situation and a summary of the nature and extent of the offenses of the members of the so-called anti-state conspiracy centre.

Determination of guilt (criminal offenses) according to Act No. 231/1948 Coll.
Verdict of the State Court in Prague on imposed sentences:
Rudolf Slánský – death penalty
Bedřich Geminder – death penalty
Ludvík Frejka – death penalty
Josef Frank – death penalty
Vladimír Clementis – death penalty
Bedřich Reicin – death penalty
Karel Šváb – death penalty
Artur London – life sentence
Vavro Hajdů – life sentence
Evžen Löbl – life sentence
Rudolf Margolius – death penalty
Otto Fischl – death penalty
Otto Šling – death penalty
André Simone (Otto Katz) – death penalty
Rationale of the verdict of the State Court (Presiding Judge).

/Court session adjourned for 10 minutes./

 

PX 1340

Statements of the defendants on the sentences imposed after consultation with their defence counsels (individually).

They waive their appeal and accept the sentence imposed.
The State Prosecutor does not have any objection on the verdict of the State Court.

The Presiding Judge closed the main trial.

Part one: Beginning of the trial, State Prosecutor J. Urválek reads charges

 

Part two: R. Slánský, some tapes edited additionally, modulation drop-out at 1:35:00

 

Part three: R. Slánský

 

Part four: R. Slánský

 

Part five: J. Vondráček, V. Vlk, E. Goldstücker, P. Kavan, M. Oren, J. Kopecký, O. Langer, D. Kaňkovská, modulation drop-out at 1:15:22

Part one: Zdeněk Půček (expert witness)

 

Part two: Jan Souček (expert witness)

 

Part three: Josef Čekal (expert witness)

 

Part four: Closing speech of the State Prosecutor J. Urválek

 

Part five: Speeches of defence counsels (V. Bartoš, V. Pošmura, J. Růžička, J. Šťastný, V. Synek)

 

Part six: Last words of all 14 defendants

Eugen Löbl, Rudolf Margolius (2 broadcaster entries)

Zdeněk Půček (expert opinion in the field of planning)

 

Zdeněk Půček

 

Zdeněk Půček

 

Zdeněk Půček

 

Zdeněk Půček

 

Jan Souček (expert opinion in the field of foreign trade)

 

Jan Souček

 

Jan Souček

 

Jan Souček

 

Jan Souček, interruption, Josef Čekal (expert opinion in the field of finances)

 

Josef Čekal

 

Reporter Bohuš Ujček (interviews with tiral onlookers)

 

Josef Urválek I

 

Josef Urválek II

 

Josef Urválek IV

 

Josef Urválek V

 

Josef Urválek VI

 

Josef Urválek VII

 

Josef Urválek VIII

 

Josef Urválek IX (1 broadcaster entry)

Discovery of archival records documenting the political trial of Rudolf Slánský

In 1991, pursuant to Section (3) of the Constitutional Act No. 496/1990 Coll., on the Restitution of the Property of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia to the People of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, the National Archives took over archival records relating to the activities of the Central Committee of the former Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. From archival records handed over, the National Archives created complicatedly structured fonds The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

Pursuant to Section (3)(2) of the Constitutional Act No. 496/1990 Coll., “other written, visual, audio, and other recordings which arose from the activities of the former Communist Party of Czechoslovakia until 30 November 1989, which are related to its activities at that time, or which have been received at that time” should have been also handed over.

However, the audio-visual and other documents from the trial of Rudolf Slánský, whose discovery in Panenské Břežany was announced at the press conference on 22 March 2018, were not handed over to the National Archives in the past. Nevertheless, their existence is recorded in the original finding aid from 1966.

The meeting of the representatives of the interested parties regarding the discovery of film recordings, audio recordings, microfilms and microfiches containing the political trial of Rudolf Slánský resulted in a Protocol on the selection of archival records outside the appraisal process, ref. no. SOAA-Ř/2436/2018/2 of 18 April 2018.

On the basis of this Protocol, all the above-mentioned archival records were transferred to the National Archives, which carries out their treatment, digitization and securing. The digitization of the audio tapes was ensured by the Czech Radio. After completing the necessary tasks, the film archival records were transported for decontamination and digitization.

Selected bibliography

BARTOŠEK, Karel. Český vězeň. Svědectví politických vězeňkyň a vězňů let padesátých, šedesátých a sedmdesátých. Litomyšl: Paseka, 2001, 317 pp. ISBN 80-7185-363-1 (memoirs)

BÍLEK, Jiří. Bedřich Reicin – iniciátor i oběť, in: PERNES, Jiří – FOITZIK, Jan (eds.). Politické procesy v Československu po roce 1945 a „Případ Slánský“. Sborník příspěvků ze stejnojmenné konference, pořádané ve dnech 14.–16. dubna 2003 v Praze. Brno: Prius, 2005, pp. 320–331. ISBN 80-7285-053-9

BLÁHOVÁ, Ivana – BLAŽEK, Lukáš – KUKLÍK, Jan – ŠOUŠA, Jiří. Oběti komunistické spravedlnosti. Právní aspekty politických procesů 50. let 20. století. Praha: Auditorium, 2015, 384 pp. ISBN 978-80-87284-48-3

BOUČEK, Jaroslav. Neznámý pohled na Doznání Artura Londona a proces Slánského. Paginae historiae: sborník Národního archivu. Praha: Národní archiv, 2019, 27(1), 702–722. ISSN 1211-9768

CÍLEK, Roman. Přejde vás smích… aneb Prokletí moci. 1948–1953: pohled do zákulisí politických zločinů. Praha: Naše vojsko, 2008, 232 pp. ISBN 978-80-206-0980-9

CLEMENTIS, Vladimír. Nedokončená kronika. Bratislava: SVKL, 1964, 190 pp.

(ČTK). Unikátní archivní objev. Stará továrna ukrývala ztracené filmy z procesu se Slánským [online]. iRozhlas.cz, Prague 20 March 2018 [retrieved 2020-05-12]. Accessible at: https://www.irozhlas.cz/veda-technologie/historie/proces-se-slanskym-rudolf-slansky-filmove-materialy-nalez_1803201926_dbr.

DEJMEK, Jindřich. Ministr zahraničních věcí Vladimír Clementis, jeho úřad a jeho diplomaté (příspěvek k problému formování diplomacie komunistického Československa v letech 1948–1949). Historický časopis Historického ústavu Slovenskej akadémie vied. Bratislava: Historický ústav SAV, 2010, 58(3), 497–531. ISSN 0018-2575

DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Zora. Navzdory nenávisti a mstě. Z politických procesů 1952 až 1953. Praha: Akcent, 2010, 314 pp. ISBN 80-238-9190-1

FORMÁNKOVÁ, Pavlína – KOURA, Petr. Žádáme trest smrti! Propagandistická kampaň provázející proces s Miladou Horákovou a spol. Praha: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů, 2009, 616 pp. ISBN 978-80-87211-03-8

FREJKOVÁ, Hana. Divný kořeny. Praha: Torst, 2007, 178 pp. ISBN 978-80-7215-325-1 (memoirs)

GERBER, Jan. Ein Prozess in Prag. Das Volk gegen Rudolf Slánský und Genossen. Edice: Schriften des Simon-Dubnow-Instituts, Band 26 (habilitation thesis). Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2016, 296 pp. ISBN 978-3-525-37047-6

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Prepared by: Mgr. Richard Mahel, Ph.D.
Translated by: Mgr. Pavel Baudisch