David Gofstein

Poet and translator. He wrote in Yiddish. Born in the Kiev Governorate. He emigrated to Germany in 1922 and lived in Palestine from 1925 to 1926. He lived in Kyiv from 1926 onward. Between 1922 and 1924, he was a member of the literary group 'Shtrom'. He spoke out in defense of Hebrew. He was a member of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee, established in 1942 to raise support for the Soviet Union from ‘Jewish brothers throughout the world’. The Committee's activities helped facilitate the opening of the Second Front.

He was arrested in September 1948 and charged with Jewish nationalism, creating an anti-Soviet underground organization, maintaining ties with American intelligence, and treason. The testimony against him was fabricated, and he was subjected to beatings and torture. The trial was held behind closed doors–without the public, the prosecution, or the defense present. In July 1952, he was sentenced to death by firing squad with confiscation of property. He was executed on 12 August 1952. His ashes were buried in Common Grave No. 3 for unclaimed remains at the New Donskoy Cemetery in Moscow. He was rehabilitated in 1955.

1950s

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The Final Statement

‘…I hope that the court will allow me to spend the remainder of my days in freedom among my family, so that through the most diligent work I may serve the working people.’

His final statement was preceded by an addition to his earlier testimony:

Presiding Judge: Defendant Gofshtein, do you wish to add anything to your testimony?

I will not take up more of your time than necessary. I have never been an enemy of the Soviet government. The indictment states that I was not only a member of the Committee but also held a leadership position, and that I was an enemy of the Soviet government and the Party. I wish to say that I cannot plead guilty to these charges, and I hope that the court will allow me to spend the remainder of my days in freedom among my family, so that through the most diligent work I may serve the working people.

I have already expressed my request to the court in my addition during the judicial proceedings.

11 July 1952,
Military Collegium of the Supreme Court, Moscow, USSR.
Source: Unjust Trial. The Last Stalin-Era Execution.
Further reading: Wikipedia.
Photo: www.gazetaeao.ru.