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Leo LaukkiFinnish communist
Date of Birth: 22.11.1880
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Finnish Communist Roots
- Revolutionary Activist
- Emigration to the United States
- Trial and Imprisonment
- Career in the USSR
- Later Years
- Political Problems and Arrest
- Execution and Rehabilitation
- Family
Finnish Communist Roots
Otto Laukki was a Finnish communist who initially studied in Finland before enrolling in a military school in Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipro). He briefly served in the army and joined the Finnish Social Democratic Party in 1905.
Revolutionary Activist
Laukki played an active role among Finnish officers, in Russian regiments, and among reserve troops. In 1906, he served as an assistant to Captain Kok, the leader of the Finnish Red Guard. During the Sveaborg Uprising, Laukki advocated for active participation. He became the Red Guard's commander after Kok and collaborated with the Finnish Military Organization of Bolsheviks.
Emigration to the United States
In 1907, Laukki emigrated to the United States, where he became a member of the Socialist Party of America's left wing, its Finnish section, and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He ran the Finnish workers' college in Smithville, Minnesota, and organized strikes during World War I.
Trial and Imprisonment
In 1919, Laukki was convicted in the Chicago IWW trial to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. He served in Fort Leavenworth Prison from September 7, 1918, until April 30, 1919, when he was released on bail and escaped to Soviet Russia.
Career in the USSR
Laukki arrived in Soviet Russia in 1921. He joined the Russian Communist Party (VCP(b)) and the Finnish Communist Party (FCP) and was elected to the FCP's Central Committee in 1921. Laukki supported Aino Rahja in the party leadership, which led to his expulsion from the Central Committee as a "rahyalist" in 1925.
Later Years
After leaving party leadership, Laukki worked in various Soviet institutions, including as a vice-rector and a TASS correspondent in Tehran. He was also a professor of philosophy and Leninism at institutions in Moscow, Sverdlovsk, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Political Problems and Arrest
Laukki's independent behavior led to his downfall. In 1937, he was expelled from the party organization at his institute. Otto Kuusinen accused him of being an unreliable communist for supporting Rahja. Laukki defended himself but was arrested on February 9, 1938.
Execution and Rehabilitation
Laukki was sentenced to death by the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR on September 15, 1938, and executed the same day. He was rehabilitated on November 30, 1966.
