One of the most sensational scandals in Soviet history broke out on March 21, 1955: the then Minister of Culture, Georgy Alexandrov, was dismissed. This seasoned party ideologist, who had been a key figure in the party, fell from grace due to his "lustful" behavior and a group of high-ranking officials indulging in decadent activities. These corrupt officials were later known as the "Gladiators Case." The name sounds strange, but there is an amusing background behind it.

"A brothel in the Writer's Apartment" Shocked Khrushchev

Georgy Fedorovich Alexandrov had an extraordinary resume: he was not only a high-ranking government official, but also a doctor of philosophy, professor, academician, and recipient of the Stalin Prize. His most famous work was a concise biography of Stalin, which had a circulation of one million copies. Due to his skillful flattery, he won Stalin's favor and was appointed director of the Institute of Philosophy. Even after Stalin's death, he remained in power, becoming the Minister of Culture of the USSR in 1954. However, he only held this position for one year.

This incident shocked Khrushchev

The "cultural chief" eventually fell due to a "scandalous affair." The story began when Khrushchev received an anonymous letter from an desperate mother:

"Dear Nikita Sergeyevich! My daughter is only 18 years old, and she has gotten into big trouble. A man claiming to be a writer lured her to his mansion, saying he would 'read her a script,' and the naive girl believed him. After I found out she had skipped classes and disappeared, I went to that luxurious apartment for half an hour and was horrified by their indecent talk. It was nothing short of a brothel! They drank heavily and played with young girls. It is said that many artists and writers often went there..."

Khrushchev immediately ordered a strict investigation, which uncovered a major scandal. It turned out that the playwright Kryvosheyin had set up a "high-end brothel" in a villa in Volyntsyovka village and in the center of Moscow. They specifically lured female students from the university of arts, ballet school, and drama school, using various methods to trick them into coming, and then controlled them through threats and inducements. This was a real-life "Soviet Epstein Island."

Current situation in Volyntsyovka village

Using "Academic Jargon" to Conceal Immoral Acts

Investigations revealed that these people invented a set of jargon to cover their crimes. For example:

  • "Paper": referred to the girl who was deceived.
  • "Writing a paper": referred to luring a girl.
  • "Writing a review": referred to illegal sexual transactions.

Among these "scholarly predators," besides the Minister of Culture, there were also the Deputy Minister of the CPSU Central Committee's Department of Science and Technology, two academicians of the Academy of Sciences. The critics in the Kremlin sarcastically called them the "Alexandrov Cultural Group" (borrowing the name of the famous Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble at the time).

Then-Culture Minister Alexandrov was involved

Why Is It Called the "Gladiator Case"?

This nickname actually originated from a condemnation session. Khrushchev himself attended a meeting of the Moscow City Committee and scolded these people. After scolding them, Khrushchev pointed at an elderly academician, Yegorin, and asked, "Alexandrov is young and strong, but what are you doing here, you're so old?"

Yegorin was terrified and tried to reduce his guilt by stammering, "I... I didn't do anything... I just touched (Russian: Гладил)..." Hearing this, Khrushchev immediately exclaimed, "Look, these are our 'gladiators' (Russian: Гладиаторы, derived from Гладил, meaning gladiator)!" From then on, the nickname "Gladiator Case" became widely known.

Outcome and Political Aftermath

After the scandal broke, the handling was done secretly within the party. The old academician Yegorin was demoted and expelled from Moscow. Alexandrov wrote a repentance letter to Khrushchev, begging for a chance to do scientific research. But it was no use. On March 21, 1955, he was officially removed from office, with the excuse that he "was unable to fulfill his duties as the head of the Ministry of Culture." Later, this former favorite was sent to Minsk and assigned to a low-level job, even losing his parliamentary status.

Why couldn't he be saved this time? Some analysts believe that Alexandrov was a close ally of Khrushchev's rival Malenkov. Khrushchev used this scandal to further weaken his opponent and consolidate his own power.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/7619882050736128527/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.