More than 4 million people died in purges and forced collectivization begun by former dictator Josef Stalin, according to figures released by the KGB chief.
Under the repressions begun in the late 1920s, millions were shot, sent to labor camps as "enemies of the people" or perished from starvation.Vladimir Kryuchkov said 4.2 million people "fell victim to repressions in the Soviet Union" during Stalin's rule, the Tass news agency reported. The KGB chief, who branded the repressions as illegal, spoke at a Friday meeting with representatives of groups created to help victims of Stalin's purges.
Kryuchkov said in the years 1937 and 1938 alone, some 2 million people, including "many foreigners," were victims of Stalin's brutal repressions. Kryuchkov gave no other details on the foreigners. Stalin ruled until 1953.
Tass reported that Kryuchkov stressed the figures were being disclosed for the first time.
Western reports have said that up to 8 million people may have perished in the 1937-38 purges, and some reports have said that as many as 20 million people may have died during Stalin's rule from purges and famine induced by forced collectivization.
Under Stalin, purges were enforced by the NKVD, a predecessor to the KGB.
The KGB leader said that 100 common graves where victims of the purges were buried have already been discovered, and more are sure to be found.
He said the KGB was attempting to clear the names of all those who were illegally declared enemies of the state by Stalin, but that many documents have been lost. Kryuchkov said 1.2 million people have been rehabilitated so far.