World War II Database

Born Ioseb Jughashvili in Georgia, Joseph Stalin had a reputation of being a ruthless dictator who did not think twice before ordering prison sentences or even death sentences for his political opponents. Recently, Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta published an article referring to declassified death warrants for Soviet citizens personally signed by Stalin. Stalin's grandson, Yevgeny Dzhugashvili, launched a court action against the newspaper for defamation against Stalin, claiming that no such documents exist. Basmmani courthouse in Moscow agreed to hear the case.

This case continues to stir controversy in Russia, where some looked back to the Soviet era as a period of time when Russia was feared and respected, despite of the stories of murderous purges and gulags where many died. Some people blame the Kremlin for quietly encouraging such nostalgia.

For more information:
WW2DB: Joseph Stalin
BBC: Stalin's grandson sues newspaper