The trial of Peter Verigin, 1881-1939, for perjury in 1932

The Trial

1928, Peter Verigin, 1881-1939, the leader of the Doukhobors in Canada, claimed George P. Chutskoff, an independent Doukhobor, owed him $1000 in a land transaction, and in November 1931, Verigin entered a civil suit against him. The Court dismissed Verigin’s case, and on January 27, 1932, Verigin brought a charge of perjury against Chutskoff. Verigin testified, but the court, again, found in favour of Chutskoff, and as he left the courthouse in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, as was arrested for attempting to dissuade witnesses from testifying with threats (Globe [Toronto] 6 May 1932).

There were nude demonstrations in protest of the arrest of Peter Verigin in Thrums, British Columbia; 118 Doukhobors of the Sons of Freedom sect, were arrested for public nudity, and they were sentenced to three years each (Globe [Toronto] 6 May 1932).

Chutskoff claimed he paid Verigin the money he owed in November 1928. Peter Verigin claimed this to be impossible, as he was out of Saskatchewan from July 1928 to March 1929. (R. v, Verigin, [1932] 2 W.W.R. 491).

Later testimony showed Verigin was in Saskatchewan during the time he claimed to be in British Columbia. A doctor named Black, who practiced in Veregin, Saskatchewan, testified he treated Verigin at the Zeitsoff home, seven miles outside of Verigin from October 21 to 26, 1928. Chutskoff also testified he saw Verigin in Saskatchewan during the period he claimed to be away and could produce a witness.

This testimony was not rebutted, and it was established that Peter Verigin was not absent from Veregin, Saskatchewan for those dates as he claimed. This led to the dismissal of the case against Chutskoff and the crown charged Peter Verigin with perjury (R. v, Verigin, [1932] 2 W.W.R. 491). The court convicted Verigin and sentenced him to three years (Globe [Toronto] 7 May 1932).

The Appeal

Verigin appealed his conviction on twelve points, including the claim that the interpreter did not translate the proceedings and Verigin’s testimony adequately (Globe [Toronto] 12 May 1932).

The court held Verigin's conviction, but reduced the sentence of three years to eighteen months (R. v, Verigin, [1932] 2 W.W.R. 491).

The Deportation

Throughout Verigin's incarceration, there was talk of deporting him when he was released. When Verigin was released early, the crown moved to deport him. Verigin appealed the deportation, but the minister refused to rescind the order (Globe [Toronto] 19 December 1932).

Many Doukhobors believed a deportation to the Soviet Union amounted to a death sentence for Verigin. When he left in 1927, the Soviet government ordered him never to return. However, the statute bound the Canadian government to deport foreign nationals to countries to which they could obtain a passport (Globe [Toronto] 3 February 1933).

The deportation progressed and included a cross-country trip to Halifax, where he was to sail for England. Peter Makaroff, his lawyer was able to stop the deportation a few hours before the boat sailed. (Globe [Toronto] 18 February 1933). A court in Halifax stopped the deportation (Globe [Toronto] 27 February 1933).

In Retrospect

There is evidence the Canadian government blamed Peter Verigin for the criminal actions of the Sons of Freedom and wanted to deport him, therefore they were on heightened alert for any transgression on the part of the leader that could lead to deportation. However, according to John McLaren there is not evidence that there was a conspiracy, or that Peter Verigin was framed (McLaren 1995: 102-103).

Sources in the Collection

“Appearance of Union of Youths of Communar (sic.) – Doukhobors of Canada in Capitol Theatre in Nelson, British Columbia on Feb. 21 st, 1933.” The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.

This piece is the text of a speech prepared for a concert at Capitol Theatre in Nelson, British Columbia on February 21, 1933. It outlines the stand of the Doukhobors on Verigin’s trial and potential deportation. It seeks the sympathy of the audience and lays out the case of the Doukhobors and explains how they believe the case to be politically motivated.

Globe (Toronto). 1 February 1932-14 June 1933.

The Globe includes many news stories, dating to 1932 to 1933 relating to the arrest, trial and attempted deportation of Peter Verigin.

McConnell, “W.H. Peter G. Makaroff, G.C.: Canada’s First Doukhobor Lawyer.” Saskatchewan History. 44 (1992), no. 3: 86-102.

This article describes Verigin’s lawyer in the case, Peter G. Makaroff .

McLaren, John . “Wrestling Spirits: The Strange Case of Peter Verigin II.” Canadian Ethnic Studies 27 (October 1995), 95-130.

R. v. Verigin, [1932] 2 W.W.R. 489.

R. v. Verigin, [1932] 2 W.W.R. 491.

Western Weekly Reports , 1932-vol. includes a write-up of the Verigin trial and appeal.