When the Workers' State Sent Workers to the Gallows. Interview with Petr Mallota Cover Image

Když dělnický stát posílal dělníky na šibenici. Rozhovor s Petrem Mallotou
When the Workers' State Sent Workers to the Gallows. Interview with Petr Mallota

Author(s): Petr Hlaváček
Subject(s): Law and Transitional Justice, Political history, Social history, History of Communism, Cold-War History
Published by: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů
Keywords: political executions; communist Czechoslovakia; biographical entries; Petr Mallota; State Security files; resistance movements;

Summary/Abstract: In November 2024, a unique four-volume publication titled "Popravení z politických důvodů v komunistickém Československu" was released, detailing the cases of individuals executed for political reasons during the communist era in Czechoslovakia. This extensive monograph, spanning nearly 4,000 pages, uses biographical entries as case studies to explore known and ambiguous instances of political executions, including those that straddle the line between political and criminal offenses. The publication, a collaborative effort led by Petr Mallota, involved contributions from thirty authors over fifteen years, drawing from a wide array of sources such as State Security investigation files, National Archive documents, and personal testimonies. The research revealed surprising findings about the political manipulation of criminal acts and the brutal nature of the regime's repressive measures. Notable cases include the execution of Milada Horáková and the controversial inclusion of war criminals mistakenly listed as political victims. The book also highlights the continuity between the second and third resistance movements and the significant role of workers and armed forces members among the executed. The meticulous documentation of these cases underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who resisted the communist regime.

  • Issue Year: XVIII/2024
  • Issue No: 04
  • Page Range: 71-77
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Czech
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