The Great Purges

• The Trial of the Twenty-one (1938)


  In the final show trial, Bukharin took centre stage.

  He was charged with attempting to overthrow the government, murder of Kirov and attempting to assassinate Lenin.

  During the trial, Bukharin did highlight the ludicrous nature of these charges.

  He was sentenced to death and Vyshinsky accused him of being a 'foul smelling heap of human garbage'.

  According to eye witness reports, Bukharin died cursing Stalin.