I've been reading some books focusing on USSR and Mao's period China (Life and Death in Shanghai is great!) and it seems that in both cases, a lot of effort was put into getting politcal prisoners to make false confessions. Isn't it easier just to fake the confessions? All in all, they didn't really care about getting to the truth...
Coulden't find a similar question on this sub. Thanks!
You can't have a public trial without a confession, unless you fake a lot of evidence. What if the accused blurts out that he never confessed? Remember, there were legal procedures in place. The USSR had a constitution which granted many rights. Same with the People's Republic of China. Appearances had to be maintained.
Even in nonpublic trials, a real signature on a confession would rebut allegations of unfair trial.