Case of the Deaf and Dumb

In August-November 1937, the leadership of the Leningrad branch of the Society of the Deaf was subjected to repression on the basis of a fabricated NKVD charge of creating a "fascist-terrorist organization." The charge was based, in particular, on fake rapiers found in the drama club of the Leningrad Society of the Deaf. By decision of a special troika of the NKVD on 10.12.1937, 34 deaf-mutes were sentenced to death, and 19 were sent to camps. The youngest of those shot was 22 years old, the oldest was 64.