Andrei Yushchinsky

Who was Andrei Yushchinsky?

Andrei Yushchinsky, alternatively: Yustshinsky, Yuschinski, etc. was a Ukrainian boy whose death set off ritual murder accusations against Menahem Mendel Beilis, followed by a trial that sparked international criticism of the antisemitic policies of the Russian Empire.

Andrei Yushchinsky was the illegitimate son of Alexandrа Prihodko and Feodosy Chirkov, who soon after Yushchinsky's birth joined the military. Yushchinsky lived with his mother, an illiterate fruit vendor, and his stepfather, Luka Prihodko, a bookbinder. Yushchinsky attended preparatory classes at the Kievo-Sofia spiritual school. Instead of going to school on the morning of March 12 1911, Andrei went to his friend Zhenya Cheberyak's home. Zhenya's mother, Vera Cheberyak, bought and sold stolen or illegal items from her home and often housed wanted criminals. During a quarrel with Zhenya, Andrei threatened to inform the police of Vera's illegal activities. A series of arrests and searches had recently been made in the surrounding area. Fearing they would be caught by police and charged with crimes, Cheberyak, her brother Peter Singaevsky, and Boris Rudzinsky and Ivan Latyshev murdered Andrei Yushchinsky.