Alfonss Noviks One of the leaders of the state security agencies of the Latvian SSR Date of Birth: 01.01.1908 Country: Latvia

1. Early Life and Political Activism
2. Arrests and Soviet Intelligence
3. Rise to Power in Soviet Latvia
4. During World War II
5. Post-War Era and Suppression of Resistance
6. Later Years and Arrest

Early Life and Political Activism

Aleksandrs Noviks was born to a peasant family and studied at the University of Riga's History and Philology Department. However, he did not complete his studies and later worked in various roles, including customs officer and construction clerk.

In 1930, Noviks joined the Party of Latgalian Progressives and in 1932, became a member of the Communist Party. He briefly served in the Latvian army before becoming involved in the Latgalian regional committee of the Communist Youth League in 1933.

Arrests and Soviet Intelligence

In 1933, Noviks was arrested and sentenced to eight years of forced labor, but was amnestied in 1938. After his release, he worked as a warehouse manager. It is believed that he was recruited by Soviet intelligence in the 1920s.

Rise to Power in Soviet Latvia

With the entry of Soviet troops into Latvia in 1940, Noviks became the head of the State Security Administration of the Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs. As Latvia was incorporated into the USSR, he became the People's Commissar for Internal Affairs and, from February 1941, the People's Commissar for State Security of the Latvian SSR.

During World War II

During the Great Patriotic War, Noviks worked in the central apparatus of the NKVD, heading the Latvian department from 1941. He rose to the rank of Commissioner of State Security in 1943 and, in 1944, became the head of the NKGB operational group in Latvia.

Post-War Era and Suppression of Resistance

After the liberation of Latvia by Soviet forces, Noviks was once again appointed head of the NKGB in the republic. He played a key role in organizing the suppression of "bourgeois nationalist" groups operating in Latvia until 1956.

Later Years and Arrest

Following the death of Stalin, Noviks was transferred to the Ministry of Procurement of the Latvian SSR as deputy minister for personnel. He later became deputy minister of agriculture for the republic. After retiring with a general's pension in 1955, Noviks lived quietly in Riga until Latvia gained independence.

In 1994, Noviks was arrested and charged with genocide and participation in the deportation of around 60,000 people. After a trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1995 and died while serving his sentence.