18 May 2003, 01:12
Sturua, Ivan Fyodorovich
Statesman and politician.
Born December 18 (30), 1970, in the village of Kulashi (now in Samtredsky County, Georgia), in a family of peasants. G.F. Sturua's brother. Since 1889, was a worker in Tiflis railroad workshops. One of the organizers of Social Democratic organization in Tiflis. Bolshevik. Started his Party career in 1896. Organized strikes and Mayday meetings. In 1900, was a member of Baku Committee of RSDRP (Russian Socialist Democratic Workers' Party). Worked in illegal printing houses of RSDRP's Central Committee in Baku (1902-1905), St. Petersburg (1906), and Vyborg (1907). Was repeatedly arrested and exiled. In 1917, was a chairman of Kulashi County Soviet. After October Revolution of 1917, was the leader of Samtredsky Bolshevik organization. In 1918-1919, after the takeover of the power in Georgia by the Mensheviks, led his work in the underground; was a member of Kutaisi County Committee and Province Committee of RSDRP(b) and the West Transcaucasia Committee. In 1920-1921, was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bolsheviks of Georgia. In 1921-1931, was a chairman of the Party Collegium of Transcaucasian District Control Commission of the VKP(b) (all-Union Communist Party of the Bolsheviks), which dealt with the personal files of the Party's members. Ran the cleansings of Trotskyites, "deviationists", and "oppositionists" in Transcaucasian Party organization. In 1922-1924, simultaneously occupied the position of the People's Commissar of Agriculture of Georgian SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic). During the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Congresses of VKP(b), was elected a member of the Central Committee. Was a member of the Central Executive Committees of Georgian SSR, ZSFSR (Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic), and USSR.
Deceased in Tiflis on April 13, 1931.
