Georgiy Andreichin
Bulgaria- Early Life and Education
- Balkan Wars and Emigration
- Labor Activism and Imprisonment
- Soviet Union and Trotskism
- Imprisonment and Release
- Wartime and Post-War Career
- Return to Bulgaria and Arrest
- Rehabilitation and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Ivan Stefanov Andreychin was born in the village of Belitsa, then part of the Ottoman Empire. During an uprising in Macedonia at age 9, his family fled to Bulgaria, where he later attended high school in the town of Samokov. There, he was influenced by anarchist and Tolstoyan ideas.
Balkan Wars and Emigration
Andreychin volunteered for the Macedonian-Adrianople Opolchenie during the Balkan Wars. In 1913, he emigrated to France, where he worked in Nancy and then moved to the United States.
Labor Activism and Imprisonment
In Minnesota, Andreychin worked as a miner and engineering assistant. He became active in the radical union Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and organized a major mining strike in 1916, resulting in his arrest and beating. He also edited the union newspaper, "Solidarity."
In 1918, Andreychin was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine in the notorious Chicago trial against IWW leaders. He was released in 1919.
Soviet Union and Trotskism
Andreychin arrived in the USSR in 1921 and joined the Communist Party (VKP(b)). He served as an American delegate to the founding congress of the Profintern and held positions in the State Planning Committee (Gosplan). He also became a Soviet citizen.
In 1924, Andreychin was appointed an advisor to the Soviet diplomatic mission in London, headed by his compatriot Christian Rakovsky. He later worked in diplomatic roles in Vienna and Paris. However, as a Trotskyist, he was expelled from the VKP(b) in 1927 and exiled to Kazakhstan.
Imprisonment and Release
During his exile, Andreychin worked as a carpenter and joiner. In 1930, he was released and worked in the People's Commissariat of Trade and in the tourism agency Intourist. He accompanied H.G. Wells during his visit to the USSR in 1934.
In 1935, Andreychin was arrested again and sentenced to 10 years in a labor camp for spying and connections to Trotskyists. He spent several years in various labor camps and prisons.
Wartime and Post-War Career
Andreychin was released in 1941 and worked for the Soviet Information Bureau (Sovinformburo) during the war. He remained in contact with the American embassy. In 1945, he warned the American ambassador about the vulnerability of the Soviet embassy to surveillance.
Return to Bulgaria and Arrest
After the establishment of the Soviet-aligned government in Bulgaria, Andreychin returned to his home country. He served as chief of staff to Vasil Kolarov and later as head of the information department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 1949, Andreychin was arrested by Soviet security forces and taken back to the USSR. He was accused of spying for British and American intelligence and was sentenced to death in 1950. He was executed the same day.
Rehabilitation and Legacy
Andreychin was rehabilitated in 1958. He had two daughters, Yvonne and Kira. His name remains a reminder of the violent suppression of dissent during the Stalinist era.
