MOSCOW, August 27 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has refused to posthumously acquit a former high-ranking Soviet secret police officer of crimes connected with the mass repression and show trials of the 1920s and 1930s, for which he was executed in 1938, RAPSI learned in the courtroom Tuesday.

Yakov Agranov’s career as a high-ranking officer for the notorious NKVD secret police force came to an abrupt end when he was arrested in 1938 and charged with espionage, conspiracy to wage a coup d’état, and ordering the illegal prosecutions of Soviet citizens. He was convicted, sentenced, and executed by firing squad that same year.

It later emerged that there was a dearth of evidence connected with Agranov’s alleged espionage activities. However, the charges of abuse of power and illegal prosecutions remained intact. 

Agranov’s daughter moved for her father’s acquittal twice – in 1955 and again in 2001, but failed in her efforts.

The Supreme Court based its judgment on a decision by Russia’s  Chief Military Prosecutor’s Office which at first decided to posthumously acquit Agranov, but later decided otherwise.

The Supreme Court hearings were held behind the closed doors as some of the records of the case were under seal. The ruling of the court rests on the federal law prohibiting the acquittal of those convicted and sentenced for crimes against justice.