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The Ticket Collector from Belarus: An Extraordinary True Story of Britain's Only War Crimes Trial
'Brilliantly gripping' Sunday Times; 'Compelling' Daily Mail; 'Heart-rending' Sunday Telegraph; 'Excellent' The Times; 'Engrossing' Independent
The UK's only war crimes trial took place in 1999 and had its origins in the horrors of the Holocaust, but only now in The Ticket Collector from Belarus? can the full story be told.
The Ticket Collector from Belarus tells the remarkable story of two interwoven journeys. Ben-Zion Blustein and Andrei Sawoniuk were childhood friends in 1930s Domachevo, a holiday and health resort in what is now Belarus. During the events that followed the Nazi invasion in 1941, they became the bitterest of enemies. After the war, Ben-Zion made his way to Israel, and ‘Andrusha the bastard’ to England, where he found work as a British Rail ticket collector in London.
They next confronted each other in the Old Bailey, over half a century later, where one was the principal prosecution witness, and the other charged with a fraction of the number of murders he was alleged to have committed. There was no physical evidence, just one man’s word against another, leaving the jury with a series of agonising dilemmas: Could any witness statement be trusted so long after the event? Was Andrusha a brutal killer, a hapless pawn or a scapegoat? And were his furious protests a sign of guilt or the justified anger of an innocent old man?
Mike Anderson was gripped by the story, and so began his quest to find the truth about this astonishing case and the people at its heart. As he discovered, it was even more remarkable than he could ever have imagined.
The UK's only war crimes trial took place in 1999 and had its origins in the horrors of the Holocaust, but only now in The Ticket Collector from Belarus? can the full story be told.
The Ticket Collector from Belarus tells the remarkable story of two interwoven journeys. Ben-Zion Blustein and Andrei Sawoniuk were childhood friends in 1930s Domachevo, a holiday and health resort in what is now Belarus. During the events that followed the Nazi invasion in 1941, they became the bitterest of enemies. After the war, Ben-Zion made his way to Israel, and ‘Andrusha the bastard’ to England, where he found work as a British Rail ticket collector in London.
They next confronted each other in the Old Bailey, over half a century later, where one was the principal prosecution witness, and the other charged with a fraction of the number of murders he was alleged to have committed. There was no physical evidence, just one man’s word against another, leaving the jury with a series of agonising dilemmas: Could any witness statement be trusted so long after the event? Was Andrusha a brutal killer, a hapless pawn or a scapegoat? And were his furious protests a sign of guilt or the justified anger of an innocent old man?
Mike Anderson was gripped by the story, and so began his quest to find the truth about this astonishing case and the people at its heart. As he discovered, it was even more remarkable than he could ever have imagined.
378 pages, Audiobook
Published January 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 27, 2022
This fascinating book tells the story of Britain's only war crimes trial, as well as the only time a British jury had visited a site outside of the country. Indeed, this begins in February, 1999, when a British judge, accompanied by the jury, press, and others, travelling to visit the scenes of crimes which happened fifty seven years before. The alleged perpetrator lived in Britain for fifty years, working for British Railways, and leading a fairly uneventful existence until the arrival, on his doorstep, of four policemen, long after he had retired.
The author takes us back to the small town of Domachevo, which, despite its size, was a small, but thriving, Jewish community, until war arrived on its doorstep. It tells how a young man, who was outcast by his illegitimacy and poverty, found himself suddenly in a position of power and how that power was misused. Known as a petty troublemaker, Andrei Sawoniuk, embraced the power that a uniform gave him. It further explores the evidence of those, such as Ben-Zion Blustein, who escaped the genocide to make a new life, and of how he, and other witnesses, had known the defendant since childhood.
Although this sounds a terribly depressing book, and is, in places, very harrowing, it also has moments of dark humour. Advised not to give evidence, the belligerant defendants evidence in the dock - his heavy accent peppered with English slang - was more reminiscent of Baldrick's denying everything scene in 'Blackadder goes forth.' than a typical Old Bailey trial. At times, you could feel his barrister cringing, as Sawoniuk made outrageous claims of knowing nothing, being nowhere and his claims of total innocence. I was also interested to read why Britain only had one war crimes trial and wonder what the outcome had been, had investigations not been halted shortly after the end of the war. Anderson does an excellent job of telling a totally gripping story, while also filling in the background. Highly recommended.
The author takes us back to the small town of Domachevo, which, despite its size, was a small, but thriving, Jewish community, until war arrived on its doorstep. It tells how a young man, who was outcast by his illegitimacy and poverty, found himself suddenly in a position of power and how that power was misused. Known as a petty troublemaker, Andrei Sawoniuk, embraced the power that a uniform gave him. It further explores the evidence of those, such as Ben-Zion Blustein, who escaped the genocide to make a new life, and of how he, and other witnesses, had known the defendant since childhood.
Although this sounds a terribly depressing book, and is, in places, very harrowing, it also has moments of dark humour. Advised not to give evidence, the belligerant defendants evidence in the dock - his heavy accent peppered with English slang - was more reminiscent of Baldrick's denying everything scene in 'Blackadder goes forth.' than a typical Old Bailey trial. At times, you could feel his barrister cringing, as Sawoniuk made outrageous claims of knowing nothing, being nowhere and his claims of total innocence. I was also interested to read why Britain only had one war crimes trial and wonder what the outcome had been, had investigations not been halted shortly after the end of the war. Anderson does an excellent job of telling a totally gripping story, while also filling in the background. Highly recommended.
February 10, 2022
The story behind this book is incredible - the only prosecution on British soil for war crimes, with the person convicted being a former Nazi who had lived in London for 50 years and spent most of that time working for British Rail.
The book is effectively divided into two parts: how he committed his crimes in Belarus during the war, and then a blow by blow account of the trial. This makes the book slightly disjointed (and glosses over what could have been the most interesting part of it - why it took until 1991 to pass the War Crimes Act and why only one prosecution was ever undertaken). But both stories are fascinating - albeit the trial is something that you’ll probably need a relatively deep interest in legal tactics to get from 3 to 4 stars.
The book is effectively divided into two parts: how he committed his crimes in Belarus during the war, and then a blow by blow account of the trial. This makes the book slightly disjointed (and glosses over what could have been the most interesting part of it - why it took until 1991 to pass the War Crimes Act and why only one prosecution was ever undertaken). But both stories are fascinating - albeit the trial is something that you’ll probably need a relatively deep interest in legal tactics to get from 3 to 4 stars.
March 6, 2025
V v interesting, at times legalistic and technical.
September 16, 2022
A very well written account of the only World War II war crimes trial held in England. It of course should of been one of many due to the influx of dubious characters post war but legislation was way too late. Thus Andrei Sawoniuk made history -- not in the way he wished -- and his trial came almost too late due to a misspelling of his name from years before. It is a tale of determination and courage on the part of his childhood school mate in Belarus Ben-Zion Blustein. The account of his leaving his family in the ghetto and survival in the countryside is compelling but heart rending. As he somehow lives day to day Sawoniuk is accused of strutting around in uniform treating his former acquaintances and their families brutally -- the runt or joke of the village/town getting his revenge in the most horrific way. A harrowing read but persist as it is engrossing. Many moral questions are raised not least when it comes to the evidence given at the trial decades after the events took place. Most of all though it is a salutary tale of never giving up hope of justice no matter the passage of time.
July 26, 2024
Heavy going but interesting
July 21, 2022
I feel like I'm missing something, though having read, loved and agreed on many books on here, I feel I can't be off. This book had so much promise! The prologue was gripping and well-written, I couldn't put the book down. A few chapters that followed equally so - then came the trial. Repeats on what was in the prologue. Again, and again. Coupled with idle newspaper descriptions of trial days, in form of a court report. Might have been engaging to follow in the newspaper at the time but in this format, it's utterly boring and just plain lazy! Then, there's the constant scene-setting. Yes, we know of the Nazi's final solution but oh, guess fleshing it out will fill another few pages every. single. chapter. It's lazy, it's boring, it's repetitive and counter of what it's claiming to want to achieve. I'm second generation post-shoa jewish and I direly needed to skip bits because they were boring me. Pick the subject of your book, then stick to it! Sadly, this wasn't done. One of the few books I never finished (gave up in Chapter 18, after skipping multiple times!). Shame, this could have been a brilliant and important read given the subject matter!!
April 19, 2022
I found this an absolutely fascinating read. Telling the story of Britain's only ever war crimes trial, and the only time a British jury has gone abroad, this book provides a deep dive into Belarus and law.
We learn about the lives of members of small communities in rural Belarus. Some of the back story is, understandably, incredibly harrowing. The book begins with setting the scene in Belarus, painting the picture of people's lives, their places in society and then following these men through the war and out the other side. The rural poverty is extreme, the descriptions of murder harrowing.
The second part of the book follows the trial in detail. I wasn't sure how i'd get on with this, but the defendant provides a lot of unintended humour, as do the aside comments of the judge. The whole book was incredibly engaging. If you have an interest, then I'd highly recommend.
We learn about the lives of members of small communities in rural Belarus. Some of the back story is, understandably, incredibly harrowing. The book begins with setting the scene in Belarus, painting the picture of people's lives, their places in society and then following these men through the war and out the other side. The rural poverty is extreme, the descriptions of murder harrowing.
The second part of the book follows the trial in detail. I wasn't sure how i'd get on with this, but the defendant provides a lot of unintended humour, as do the aside comments of the judge. The whole book was incredibly engaging. If you have an interest, then I'd highly recommend.
February 6, 2023
I feel bad giving not so great review on the book of this topic, but I have to be honest. The first part of the book was interesting and worth reading, but the second half was boring to listen as it was all about the court – who said what etc. I felt like I was stuck in the court room for hours. I guess this book would be more appreciated by historians or journalists looking for more details about this case.
February 2, 2023
This book is like two books in one. The first tells a survivor story and is well written and invoke a lot of emotions.
The second part of the book is the actual minute proceedings of the court sessions, that it it’s own story in itself. It also invoked a strong emotion in me, but not in a good way. I increasingly got more and more disgusted about the British way to handle it’s court cases - especially how brutally the defendant’s lawyers are allowed to go against witnesses, damaging their morale, how following some established precedent ensures that the common sense is flushed out of it comes to decide if someone was a war criminal. It is such a shame, that this case was the only one ever conducted in the UK against Nazi criminals, and this follows nicely that so many of them could live a happy live for many decades in British soil. Sadly, the book is following the court proceedings with painstakingly detail, and fail to point out the absurdity of it - that only aimed in protecting war criminals. The case of John Demjanjuk, that is mentioned in the book, showed that it was possible to sentence criminals for assistance in crimes, and not only in case of a confession…. I would recommend to people to just read the first part of the book and skip large portion of the court proceedings to the statement of the defendant.
The second part of the book is the actual minute proceedings of the court sessions, that it it’s own story in itself. It also invoked a strong emotion in me, but not in a good way. I increasingly got more and more disgusted about the British way to handle it’s court cases - especially how brutally the defendant’s lawyers are allowed to go against witnesses, damaging their morale, how following some established precedent ensures that the common sense is flushed out of it comes to decide if someone was a war criminal. It is such a shame, that this case was the only one ever conducted in the UK against Nazi criminals, and this follows nicely that so many of them could live a happy live for many decades in British soil. Sadly, the book is following the court proceedings with painstakingly detail, and fail to point out the absurdity of it - that only aimed in protecting war criminals. The case of John Demjanjuk, that is mentioned in the book, showed that it was possible to sentence criminals for assistance in crimes, and not only in case of a confession…. I would recommend to people to just read the first part of the book and skip large portion of the court proceedings to the statement of the defendant.
August 10, 2022
The ticket collector from Belarus
An Extraordinary True Story of Britain's Only War Crimes Trial.
Although the title sounds very interesting, The Ticket Collector of Belarus, was one of the only books on the holocaust with which I felt very disconnected. There has been a lot of material to work with. But in spite of that, I was sometimes a bit sympathetic to the old nazi on trial, and I lay the blame on the editor for its dismal presentation.
In my view, the writers have sacrificed the mystery, the thrill of the detection and eventual capture of the rogue by laying emphasis on the storyline. Thus, even before the trial begins, the readers are aware of who the criminal is and for what crimes he is being tried. The detailed courtroom scenes did not enhance readability. I was greatly disappointed.
An Extraordinary True Story of Britain's Only War Crimes Trial.
Although the title sounds very interesting, The Ticket Collector of Belarus, was one of the only books on the holocaust with which I felt very disconnected. There has been a lot of material to work with. But in spite of that, I was sometimes a bit sympathetic to the old nazi on trial, and I lay the blame on the editor for its dismal presentation.
In my view, the writers have sacrificed the mystery, the thrill of the detection and eventual capture of the rogue by laying emphasis on the storyline. Thus, even before the trial begins, the readers are aware of who the criminal is and for what crimes he is being tried. The detailed courtroom scenes did not enhance readability. I was greatly disappointed.
June 15, 2025
A fascinating read about a World War Two war crimes case in the UK. Effectively it is in two parts - the first detailing the story of the relevant parties during the war and the second the actual trial case.
Whilst the history part gives the historians point of view from witness statements, documents and other sources, the court case has to follow the British legal rules and the book reports accordingly.
Whilst I appreciate that the legal system is a necessary evil the details of how the defence team basically tried to destroy and invalidate some of the prosecution witnesses is at times poor and makes the system appear wrong. Sadly my experience of being on a jury was similar and left a very bad taste of our justice system.
Back to the book though a great read and especially if you have an interest in World War Two and the Holocaust
Whilst the history part gives the historians point of view from witness statements, documents and other sources, the court case has to follow the British legal rules and the book reports accordingly.
Whilst I appreciate that the legal system is a necessary evil the details of how the defence team basically tried to destroy and invalidate some of the prosecution witnesses is at times poor and makes the system appear wrong. Sadly my experience of being on a jury was similar and left a very bad taste of our justice system.
Back to the book though a great read and especially if you have an interest in World War Two and the Holocaust
May 29, 2025
An amazing but harrowing story. Although, this reads like a retelling/ recount of what happened and is very hard and unfortunately uninteresting to read. The court proceedings are far too detailed and technical. If you don’t work in the legal system/ have an interest in it, then I’d advise that this book isn’t for you. It’s a shame as the witnesses called to give evidence really do deserve to tell their stories in an engaging and emotive way, and it’s a shame their experiences were wasted by these writers. This book could have been written in a much more accessible way, and enjoyed by many others.
May 17, 2022
Awful subject matter and I nearly didn't make it through the first half of the book. But persevered and it's a well researched and written account of Britain's only successful war crime prosecution. Left me with a feeling of shame of how much our country turned away from harbouring war criminals though, especially in the years directly after the war when action most properly could have been taken. Of course there are horrible reminders that war atrocities continue to happen all over the world, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine. Will anyone be held to account?
November 23, 2023
This was not what I expected and took a little while to get into, but once I did.. I couldn’t put it down.
To read that a trial in court in UK took its jurors overseas to be in the area of where killings were taking place in world war 2 just amazed me. It must have been a hard case to listen to but even harder for the witnesses to relive when they’ve not spoke about it to their families.
If you’re a fan of World War 2 and history then this maybe one for you - it does give some of the back story to start off with before it gets into the trial itself.
To read that a trial in court in UK took its jurors overseas to be in the area of where killings were taking place in world war 2 just amazed me. It must have been a hard case to listen to but even harder for the witnesses to relive when they’ve not spoke about it to their families.
If you’re a fan of World War 2 and history then this maybe one for you - it does give some of the back story to start off with before it gets into the trial itself.
September 26, 2024
I'm not one to normally leave review, as the books I've read are usually well reviewed already and I don't feel the need to add my voice to the background noise.
This book however demands a review and as such I can say, despite the subject matter, it's an utterly compelling and engrossing read. This isn't a 'sun lounger' novel, but instead demands your fullest attention and rewards your efforts many times over.
I hate that this book ( and many others in the same vein ) ever had to be written, but thank the author for bringing it to light.
This book however demands a review and as such I can say, despite the subject matter, it's an utterly compelling and engrossing read. This isn't a 'sun lounger' novel, but instead demands your fullest attention and rewards your efforts many times over.
I hate that this book ( and many others in the same vein ) ever had to be written, but thank the author for bringing it to light.
November 16, 2023
A fascinating account which gives insights into the way that the Nazi Holocaust was experienced in Belarus as well as the issues surrounding the judicial management of the crimes long after the events. The access to the original sources are unparalleled. Possibly a little more of the wider context, and a little more attention to avoiding repetition would have been beneficial. Even so: a compelling read and something of a page turner, unusual in a non-fiction book.
February 9, 2022
Gripping description of the only war crimes trial to take place on British Soil. Begins with the horrors of the persecution and wholesale murder of Jewish communities in Belarus after the German invasion.
Chilling to be reminded again how quickly neighbours can become murderers when a community is dehumanised and there is absolute freedom from retribution.
Chilling to be reminded again how quickly neighbours can become murderers when a community is dehumanised and there is absolute freedom from retribution.
September 28, 2022
A compelling read
This was an excellently researched book.
It is, of course, harrowing and horrific in places, but it was, and is, a story that deserved to be recorded for history.
And it also shows a great amount of detail into how the UK Court system works (and sometimes does not work)
This was an excellently researched book.
It is, of course, harrowing and horrific in places, but it was, and is, a story that deserved to be recorded for history.
And it also shows a great amount of detail into how the UK Court system works (and sometimes does not work)
May 19, 2023
Super rendition of the facts of this case. I found it riveting. The facts need to be told, the enormity and amount of the crimes horrific. The process of law for a crime like this also horrific. Part of me is glad the trial happened, part of me outraged more trials weren't attempted, part feeling our system is not the way. The bravery of the witnesses. עם ישראל חי
July 15, 2023
A thorough account of Britain’s only war crimes trial, contained Holocaust survivor accounts from perspectives I’d never heard before (mainly the Belarusian partisans) and was a fascinating read overall. At times a little repetitive, but this was largely owing to the fact the book is honest to court transcripts in its retelling.
January 10, 2024
Excellent book
An extraordinary account, taking us to the heart of the terrible atrocities in what historian Tim Snyder has called the Bloodlands of central Europe. More evidence that the Holocaust would not have been possible if it was not for all the willing executioners in local populations. A necessary if depressing tale, told with great skill.
An extraordinary account, taking us to the heart of the terrible atrocities in what historian Tim Snyder has called the Bloodlands of central Europe. More evidence that the Holocaust would not have been possible if it was not for all the willing executioners in local populations. A necessary if depressing tale, told with great skill.
September 1, 2024
I love a historical non fiction and in the sea of post war narratives I think it’s hard to tell a new story that recovers the same events in a different way, but this one was great.
I loved the legal perspective and it covered such dark and upsetting topics in a sensitive but factually empathetic way but still emphasised the atrocities committed.
Would recommend to history fans
I loved the legal perspective and it covered such dark and upsetting topics in a sensitive but factually empathetic way but still emphasised the atrocities committed.
Would recommend to history fans
February 6, 2022
A fascinating tale of the only war crimes trial held in the UK.
It deals with the events and figures leading to the the trial and then covers the actual trial in detail
A valuable contribution to our understanding of events which continue to shape your view of the world.
It deals with the events and figures leading to the the trial and then covers the actual trial in detail
A valuable contribution to our understanding of events which continue to shape your view of the world.
April 10, 2022
First half covers the reality of what happened to Jews in Nazi occupied Eastern Europe and is a truly harrowing read.
Second half is really just a procedural replay of the trial and dragged out.
Ultimately a book that I’m glad I read.
Second half is really just a procedural replay of the trial and dragged out.
Ultimately a book that I’m glad I read.
April 14, 2022
Although this war crime took place in a small village, it is still important that the story be told because the same crime probably happened many times over in many other similar villages all over Europe.
Read
April 18, 2022Hmm hard to rate as i was not expecting 200 pages describing a trial
First part was really really good
Even the trial never got boring
Just... not what I would have wanted to read
Still, what stories... pfoew
First part was really really good
Even the trial never got boring
Just... not what I would have wanted to read
Still, what stories... pfoew
October 9, 2022
Fascinating true story of Britain's only war crimes trial, which is also the only example where a jury was taken outside of Britain to view the potential crime scenes - over 50 years after the crimes took place. Surprisingly gripping.
January 3, 2023
Two books in one: a shocking account of the holocaust in Belarus and a fascinating re-telling of the criminal trial 57 years later. The first was better than the second which was a little stodgy in places, but it’s a very important record of a unique British trial.
February 6, 2022
Wow what a book. The authors have written this in a way that is interesting but isn’t sensational to convey the only war trial to have occurred in British history so far.
February 7, 2022
An extraordinary story told in a sincere and thoughtful manner.
I cannot believe this is one of a kind, there were possibly hundreds of men like Andrei who actually got away with it!
I cannot believe this is one of a kind, there were possibly hundreds of men like Andrei who actually got away with it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews