In 1961, NS Khrushchev toughens punishments for economic crimes, up to and including execution. During this period, the number of death sentences in the USSR increased threefold compared to the previous year. One of the most notorious trials of that time is the knitwear business.
Sewing tandem
Siegfried Gazenfranz was a simple assistant to the master at the Almedin knitwear factory in the city of Frunze. A modest appearance, a small official salary - all this does not fit in with the modern idea of millionaires. However, in the country of soviets, such indicators served as a kind of protection for wealthy people. In fact, Siegfried was the owner of a comfortable apartment and summer house. His wife sported expensive jewelry, and all the housework for the Hazenfrants was done by servants.
Probably, many dreamed of a rich life in the USSR. Siegfried Gazenfranz went beyond a million of his fellow citizens. In 1957, he decided to implement a daring, risky and very dangerous plan - to open an underground third shift at his factory. Isaac Singer, a foreman of one of the republic's industrial artels, became his main employee in the pursuit of millions.
New designs for sewing millions
Savvy entrepreneurs placed their machines in abandoned garages, warehouses and knitwear factories. They bought up decommissioned equipment and then gave it a second life.
Unsold raw materials were used for sewing products, as well as materials made from fleece - industrial waste from spinning factories. Quite often, they went on to create semi-woolen garments labeled as natural wool.
During the night shifts, unaccounted products were produced, which were sold in different cities of Central Asia. Unlike legal samples of light industry, it was comfortable, original and attractive. Scarves, suits, dresses and blouses with styles unusual for a Soviet person were wildly popular and were literally snapped up.
A year later, after opening an illegal enterprise, Siegfried and Isaac decided to embody another idea - to start sewing tulle. The machines began to sew delicate scarce fabric, and the pockets of the allies were replenished with banknotes. At this time, the monthly income of successful businessmen reaches four hundred thousand rubles. Incredible money for those times.
Pay
Any attempts at private enterprise under Khrushchev were punished mercilessly. This fate was not spared by Siegfried Gazenfranz and Isaac Singer. Even the support of senior officials, the Council of Ministers, the Kirghizglavsnab, the Ministry of Local Economy and other state bodies, to whose representatives the underground businessmen paid substantial kickbacks, did not save them from reprisals.
In addition to Siegfirid and Isaac, about twenty shop workers were also executed. Moreover, Bekjan Dyushaliev, chairman of the State Planning Committee of the Kyrgyz SSR, head of the Main Directorate of Material and Technical Supply under the State Planning Committee of the Kyrgyz SSR, was also shot.
