English Translation

196 secret police did not feel bound at all. The Gestapo members could actively design and construct cases for the martial court with the knowledge of the superior. The basic concept of the charge was handed over by the official concerned to the maid's commander, who could cancel the prosecution, which was an absolutely exceptional matter. Each police investigator quickly prepared an investigative report on a particular case, often only in the so-called "advanced form" (Fernschreibeform). (560) Information reduced to a few words, at most the only basis for a decision of a permanent court, as is the case. testifies to telex correspondence between the Prague Gestapo headquarters and its outdoor office in Hradec Králové © Head Office of the State Police Prague, to the hands of the SS- Oberststurmbannführer and the government council of Dr. Witiska. (...) The following persons I propose to condemn the martial court. (Follows the list of persons) Under the number 1-2 appointed they approved the assassination of the Obergruppenführers Heydrich. Under the number 3 appointed he was hiding policely unidentified persons. (signed by Hardtke) The answer came immediately: © Secret, urgent, immediately submit. Outdoor office Hradec Králové, to the hands of Chief Criminal Commissioner Hardkte. (...) In the teletype of the designated person they are presented for shooting under the judgment of martial law. Signed by SS-Oberstrumbannführer and the Government Board Dr. Witiska (561) The proceedings at the martial court were not public and, except for the total exception, the defendant was absent. The minutes of the court proceedings were not taken. The judgment was recorded on a pre-printed form, in which the convict's name, date of birth, residence, etc.The court was able to issue three types of judgments: the death penalty by shooting (in the case of so-called "death penalty." non-Aryans, convicts for economic offences, but also in the case of certain participants in the resistance by hanging), exonerating the person of the indictment, or handing it over to secret state police, which was a euphemism for deportation to the concentration camp Mauthausen, Auschwitz or Ravensbrück. A stamp with the word "shoot" (Erschiessen) or "hubber" (erhängen) was marked the way of execution. There is nothing to be found in the preserved judgments of the martial courts about the error of the convicted person. The reasoning of the judgment was generally vague, e.g. a breach of public order, or an unauthorised possession.