Tag #125708 - Interview #77962 (Victor Baruh)

On 24th May 1943 [10] the Jews from Sofia were given notice to leave Sofia in three days on the decree of the Commissariat for Jewish Affairs [11]. This Committee was founded under the special jurisdiction of the Minister of Interior [Petar Gabrovski] [12]. Its headquarter was on Dondukov Boulevard in the confiscated building of Samuel Patak [a Jewish merchant], the owner of Sampatak - a well-known stationery company. The Jewish property had to be confiscated. A number of young lawyers from the pro- fascist organization, the Ratniks [13] co-operated in the Committee. They benefited from the confiscation and liquidation of the Jewish shops and other property. We had to leave with no more than 20 kilograms of luggage; it was said where, when and with which train we had to leave. They deliberately chose the holidays because they wanted to keep the whole affair a secret. Emil and his family received instructions to go to Pleven and my mother and I were to be sent to Pazardjik.