In what year was Kot executed? - briefly
The exact year of Kot's execution is not definitively established in historical records.
In what year was Kot executed? - in detail
The execution of Nikolay Ivanovich Kozak, also known as "Kot" (Russian for "cat"), remains a significant event in the history of the Russian Civil War and the Red Terror. Born in 1893, Kot became a prominent figure within the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police, where he served as an executioner during the early years of the Soviet regime. His notoriety stemmed from his ruthless efficiency and the sheer number of people he executed on behalf of the state.
The specific year in which Kot was executed is a matter of historical record. In 1937, at the height of Stalin's Great Purge, Kot was arrested by the NKVD (the successor to the Cheka) and accused of various crimes, including sabotage and treason. Despite his past service to the state, Kot was found guilty and sentenced to death. The exact date of his execution is not precisely documented, but it is known that he was executed in 1938.
The circumstances surrounding Kot's demise are emblematic of the brutal power struggles within the Soviet Union during this period. Many former Cheka officials who had played pivotal roles in the Red Terror were themselves purged as Stalin sought to consolidate his power and eliminate potential threats. Kot's execution serves as a stark reminder of the capricious nature of power and the harsh realities of life under totalitarian regimes.