Judicial terror instrument of the NS regime for the prosecution of high treason, established 24 April 1934. Up to the end of 1944 the Volksgerichtshof passed over 5214 death sentences by its six senates against members of the resistance and political opponents. In 1944 alone 2097 death sentences were passed. (There are no figures for 1945.) In particular, Roland Freisler, who was president of the Volksgerichtshof from 1942, proceeded against the accused in a most degrading and ruthless manner.