Iskhak Akhmerov
Encyclopedia
Iskhak Abdulovich Akhmerov ' onMouseout='HidePop("1254")' href="/topics/Troitsk,_Chelyabinsk_Oblast">Troitsk
, located in modern Chelyabinsk Oblast
, 1901–1975) was a Soviet
spy
of Tatar ethnicity who joined the Bolshevik Party in 1919. Akhmerov attended the Communist University of Toilers of the East and the First State University
, where he graduated from the School of International Relations in 1930. Akhmerov joined the OGPU/NKVD
in 1930 and participated in the suppression of anti-Soviet movements in the USSR's Bukhara Republic
between 1930 and 1931. Akhmerov spoke Turkish, English and French. His wife, an American who worked for Soviet intelligence, was Helen Lowry
(Elza Akhmerova), the niece of the CPUSA General Secretary Earl Browder
.
In 1932 Akhmerov transferred to the foreign intelligence of the NKVD
and served as a covert intelligence officer under diplomatic cover in Turkey. He became a covert field officer serving in China in 1934. In 1935 he entered the United States
with false identity papers and served until 1939. Akhmerov returned in 1942 and served as covert resident in the United States during World War II
and operated under cover as a clothier. Akhmerov is known to have used the cover names William Grienke, Michael Green, Michael Adamec, and several others while in the United States. His code names in intercepted Venona project
decrypts of Soviet intelligence messages are MAYOR and ALBERT.
In late 1945 or early 1946 Akhmerov returned to the Soviet Union
and became deputy chief of the KGB's covert intelligence section (отдел нелегальной разведки). He attained the rank of colonel and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner
twice, the Order of the Badge of Honor
, and the badge of Honored Chekist.
KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky
said that Akhmerov delivered a lecture to KGB personnel in the early 1960s, one that Gordievsky attended. Gordievsky later reported that Akhmerov had described FDR's personal assistant Harry Hopkins
as "the most important of all Soviet wartime agents in the United States". Mark (1988) shows that Hopkins was not in fact pro-Soviet and that Akhmerov misunderstood Hopkins role; other Soviet leaders realized Hopkins was feeding the Soviets information (as he was authorized to do) to keep them allied with the U.S. Other Soviet sympathizers have also criticized Gordievsky- retired NKVD Lieutenant General Vitaliy Pavlov wrote that Gordievsky was a "traitor who did not know Akhmerov personally." Pavlov says that Akhmerov was very secretive about his work and would never have disclosed the names of his American connections. Pavlov directly contradicts Gordievsky by writing, "Harry Hopkins [and] Alger Hiss
... were not agents of ours". Journalist Eric Alterman
wrote in 1996 that Gordievsky fabricated the account for profit.
Troitsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast
Troitsk is a town in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, located east of the southern Ural Mountains and approximately south of Chelyabinsk. It stands on the east-flowing Uy River, a branch of the Tobol River. Population: 83,862 ; -History:...
, located in modern Chelyabinsk Oblast
Chelyabinsk Oblast
-External links:*...
, 1901–1975) was a Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
of Tatar ethnicity who joined the Bolshevik Party in 1919. Akhmerov attended the Communist University of Toilers of the East and the First State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
, where he graduated from the School of International Relations in 1930. Akhmerov joined the OGPU/NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
in 1930 and participated in the suppression of anti-Soviet movements in the USSR's Bukhara Republic
Bukhara
Bukhara , from the Soghdian βuxārak , is the capital of the Bukhara Province of Uzbekistan. The nation's fifth-largest city, it has a population of 263,400 . The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time...
between 1930 and 1931. Akhmerov spoke Turkish, English and French. His wife, an American who worked for Soviet intelligence, was Helen Lowry
Helen Lowry
Elza Akhmerova, also Elsa Akhmerova was an American citizen, born Helen Lowry. She was a niece of Earl Browder, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the United States . Died of leukemia...
(Elza Akhmerova), the niece of the CPUSA General Secretary Earl Browder
Earl Browder
Earl Russell Browder was an American communist and General Secretary of the Communist Party USA from 1934 to 1945. He was expelled from the party in 1946.- Early years :...
.
In 1932 Akhmerov transferred to the foreign intelligence of the NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
and served as a covert intelligence officer under diplomatic cover in Turkey. He became a covert field officer serving in China in 1934. In 1935 he entered the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with false identity papers and served until 1939. Akhmerov returned in 1942 and served as covert resident in the United States during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and operated under cover as a clothier. Akhmerov is known to have used the cover names William Grienke, Michael Green, Michael Adamec, and several others while in the United States. His code names in intercepted Venona project
Venona project
The VENONA project was a long-running secret collaboration of the United States and United Kingdom intelligence agencies involving cryptanalysis of messages sent by intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union, the majority during World War II...
decrypts of Soviet intelligence messages are MAYOR and ALBERT.
In late 1945 or early 1946 Akhmerov returned to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and became deputy chief of the KGB's covert intelligence section (отдел нелегальной разведки). He attained the rank of colonel and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner
Order of the Red Banner
The Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
twice, the Order of the Badge of Honor
Order of the Badge of Honor
The Order of the Badge of Honour was a civilian award of the Soviet Union.It was instituted on 25 November 1935 and conferred on citizens of the USSR for outstanding achievements in production, scientific research and social, cultural and other forms of social activity, for promotion of economic,...
, and the badge of Honored Chekist.
KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky
Oleg Gordievsky
Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky , CMG , is a former Colonel of the KGB and KGB Resident-designate and bureau chief in London, who was a secret agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service from 1974 to 1985.-Early career:Oleg Gordievsky attended the Moscow State Institute of International...
said that Akhmerov delivered a lecture to KGB personnel in the early 1960s, one that Gordievsky attended. Gordievsky later reported that Akhmerov had described FDR's personal assistant Harry Hopkins
Harry Hopkins
Harry Lloyd Hopkins was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's closest advisers. He was one of the architects of the New Deal, especially the relief programs of the Works Progress Administration , which he directed and built into the largest employer in the country...
as "the most important of all Soviet wartime agents in the United States". Mark (1988) shows that Hopkins was not in fact pro-Soviet and that Akhmerov misunderstood Hopkins role; other Soviet leaders realized Hopkins was feeding the Soviets information (as he was authorized to do) to keep them allied with the U.S. Other Soviet sympathizers have also criticized Gordievsky- retired NKVD Lieutenant General Vitaliy Pavlov wrote that Gordievsky was a "traitor who did not know Akhmerov personally." Pavlov says that Akhmerov was very secretive about his work and would never have disclosed the names of his American connections. Pavlov directly contradicts Gordievsky by writing, "Harry Hopkins [and] Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss was an American lawyer, government official, author, and lecturer. He was involved in the establishment of the United Nations both as a U.S. State Department and U.N. official...
... were not agents of ours". Journalist Eric Alterman
Eric Alterman
Eric Alterman is an American English teacher, historian, journalist, author, media critic, blogger, and educator. His political weblog named Altercation was hosted by MSNBC.com from 2002 until 2006, moved to Media Matters for America until December 2008, and is now hosted by The...
wrote in 1996 that Gordievsky fabricated the account for profit.