Alter studied in Belgium, at the University of Ghent where he received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1912.

During World War I he took part in the campaign of conscientious objector and refused military service.

[2] In October 1941, Alter, together with Henrik Erlich were placed by the Soviet authorities in a hotel in Kuibishev (Samar).

The death sentence was signed by Vyacheslav Molotov in a note to Lavrentiy Beria, stating that Stalin had personally approved the order.

[3] In 1943, Soviet authorities issued a communique which announced that Victor Alter had been executed for "spying for Hitler".

[3] While the exact place where he was buried is unknown, a symbolic monument was erected at the Jewish cemetery on Okopowa street in Warsaw on 17 April 1988.

The establishment of the monument (as well as the publication of the full story of Alter and Erlich) was opposed by Poland's post-war communist government and was only made possible due to the efforts of Marek Edelman (surviving participant of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and a Bundist) and members of the Polish Solidarity Union.