Lavrenti Beria

Lavrentiy Beria was a Soviet politician and secret police chief under Joseph Stalin. He led the NKVD, responsible for political repression, purges, and labor camps during the Soviet Union's rule. Beria wielded significant power, overseeing state security and intelligence. Known for his ruthlessness and political cunning, he played a key role in suppressing dissent and enforcing Stalin’s policies. After Stalin’s death in 1953, Beria briefly gained influence but was quickly arrested and executed as part of a power struggle, marking a dramatic end to his tumultuous career.