Fedorenko, Feodor (1907-1986): Trial papers regarding de-naturalisation (microfilm)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 1556 WL 539a
Held at	: Wiener Library   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/ ›
Full title	: Fedorenko, Feodor (1907-1986): Trial papers regarding de-naturalisation (microfilm)
Date(s)	: 1978
Level of description	: collection
Extent	: 1900 frames
Name of creator(s)	: United States Supreme Court

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

On January 21, 1981, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of United States of America v. Feodor Federenko (1907-1986). At issue was whether the defendant, Feodor Fedorenko, a seventy-four-year-old Ukrainian-American who during World War Two had served as an armed guard at the infamous Treblinka extermination camp, should have his American citizenship revoked on the basis of this newly discovered fact about his past. The original case, having found in Fedorenko's favour, was successfuly appealed. Fedorenko became the first Nazi war criminal to be deported to the Soviet Union. In a court in Southern Ukraine, June 1986, he was found guilty of treason; voluntarily going over to the side of the Fascist aggressors; taking part in punitive actions against the peaceful population; and mass executions of citizens of many countries. He was sentenced to death in Kiev in 1986.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

The trial of the de-naturalisation of Feodor Fedorenko (aka Feoder Dimitrievich Fedorendo aka Feoder Fedorenko aka Vladimir Serduik), former Ukranian prison guard at Treblinka, initially took place at Waterbury, Connecticut, USA. It was adjourned, to be reconvened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The case was brought on the accusation that Fedorenko had illegally obtained naturalisation as a US citizen because he had lied at the time of entry into the US, by withholding the fact he was a guard at the death camp, Treblinka. However, the judge in this case, refused to believe the testimony of the witnesses for the prosecution, claiming that they had conspired and that their testimony was coached. The case was later successfully appealed, and Fedorenko became the first Nazi war criminal to be deported to the Soviet Union. In a court in Southern Ukraine, June 1986, he was found guilty in of treason; voluntarily going over to the side of the Fascist aggressors; taking part in punitive actions against the peaceful population; and mass executions of citizens of many countries. He was sentenced to death in Kiev in 1986.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Material about the case is followed by transcripts of examinations.

Conditions governing access:

Open

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

Finding aids:

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Ben Bernstein

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
October 2007