Lavrentiy Beria was a prominent Soviet politician and the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) during the Stalin era. His notorious reputation stemmed from his involvement in secret police operations and his instrumental role in the Purges that defined Stalin's rule. Following Joseph Stalin's death in March 1953, a power struggle ensued among the remaining leaders of the Soviet Union. Beria attempted to position himself as a reformer, signaling a departure from Stalin's repressive tactics, but he was met with resistance from his rivals.

On June 26, 1953, Nikita Khrushchev, along with other key members of the Politburo, decided to take decisive action against Beria. Fearing his growing power and the potential for a coup, they arrested him during a secret meeting, effectively sidelining him from political influence. This dramatic move showcased the shifting tide in the Soviet leadership and the collective desire to distance the country from Beria’s brutal methods.

Beria's arrest was not just a personal downfall but symbolized a broader shift in Soviet policies. Khrushchev and his allies sought to dismantle the pervasive atmosphere of fear that had characterized the Stalin era. After Beria's arrest, he was charged with various crimes, eventually leading to his execution in December of the same year. The events surrounding his downfall heralded a new era in the Soviet Union that aimed for de-Stalinization, setting the stage for Khrushchev's policies.