Execution by Hunger by Miron Dolot Page B

But we learned from Comrade Zeitlin that he was also accused of assault on the militiamen. His “crime” had multiplied since we saw him last. These were, we knew, serious accusations, for attached to them was Comrade Zeitlin’s statement that the assaults on the officials “took place while the latter were performing their official duties.” The circumstances surrounding these events were not mentioned.
    Having pronounced the indictment, Comrade Zeitlin immediately started the interrogation.
    â€œWhat right did you have to prevent the action of the Party and government representative?” was his first question to my brother. Serhiy tried to explain that he had not assaulted anyone; he had only grasped the arm of Comrade Khizhniak to prevent the shooting of his mother, a natural instinct, and a moral duty of a son. But this made no impression on either Comrade Zeitlin or the strangers.
    â€œDon’t pull the wool over my eyes,” Comrade Zeitlin sneered. “Now, give an answer, yes or no: did you grasp the arm of Comrade Khizhniak?”
    â€œYes and no; it depends on how you look at it,” said Serhiy.
    â€œYes or no?” persisted Comrade Zeitlin.
    â€œNo,” answered Serhiy. He once again related what had taken place in our home.
    But the interrogator was concerned only with the fact that officials had been physically deterred from doing their duty. The interrogation continued, and as it progressed, we heard Serhiy reluctantly repeating “Yes.”
    During the interrogation, we learned the cause of the black eyes of Serhiy and his alleged assault on the militiaman. My brother had happened to have a pocketwatch with him in the village jail. It had belonged to our late father, and Serhiy treasured it most dearly. This pocketwatch had attracted the attention of one of the militiamen who was on duty in the jail. He offered favorable treatment to Serhiy in exchange for the watch. My brother said no. Next, the militiaman offered him food. Serhiy again refused. Then he was called out of his cell in the night and ordered to give up the watch. When he refused, a fight started between him and the militiaman. Both were thoroughly bruised before the colleagues of the latter helped subdue Serhiy. The blackened eyes and swollen nose were damning evidence in court. No one mentioned the whereabouts of the watch.
    Comrade Zeitlin now addressed the militiaman who had been guarding Serhiy. “Comrade Militiaman, turn around and face the audience!”
    The man did so, and the audience noticed the bruises below his eyes. Comrade Zeitlin then stood up and addressed the court:
    â€œWhat you see now on the face of Comrade Militiaman is the second assault on a Party and government official, also perpetrated while the assaulted was performing his official duty. The assailant is here, before the People’s Court, comrades. I assure you, comrades, this enemy of the people won’t escape the people’s justice.”
    This was all he said, but we understood that my brother’s fate was sealed. Serhiy knew that too, and he was visibly nervous. He looked frantically around as if trying to find some sort of help.
    Next came the witness to the first alleged assault. This was something new, for in all previous cases there had been no witnesses. Comrade Khizhniak was called first. He too, had to answer just “Yes” or “No.”
    â€œDid the accused struggle with you, Comrade Khizhniak?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid the accused grasp your arm as you were performing your official duty?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid the accused know that you were an official representative of the Party and government?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid the accused obey your order when you ordered him to leave you alone?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDid you feel physical pain inflicted by the accused?”
    There were many other questions put to Comrade Khizhniak. All of them