Thomas Sgovio’s friend Marvin Volat was also arrested leaving the American embassy, on March 11, 1938. The violinist was accused of “counter-revolutionary activity” and espionage for foreign powers. His interrogation lasted two long months, but eventually Marvin confessed to having taken clandestine photographs at Moscow’s military airport. He was convicted and sentenced to hard labor in the camps. On the final page of his NKVD file, an official hastily recorded that Volat died in February 1939. None of his former Soviet friends could help him. His girlfriend, Sara Berman, was herself
...more
