Lavrenty Pavlovich Beria (1899 - 1953), Soviet secret police chief (1938 - 1953) under Soviet premier and dictator Joseph Stalin (1879 - 1953). After the death of Stalin in March 1953, Beria was promoted to a top government position. In July, however, he was removed from his post, arrested and placed on trial for "criminal and anti-state activities." In December 1953, it was announced on Russian radio that Beria had confessed to "subversive activities" and had been executed. —Conquest of Chaos Approved Glossary (8.7.92)