Troikas of the Cheka and the NKVD killed undesirables

The troikas of the Cheka and the NKVD were primarily engaged in the fight against criminal crime, and not just terror against political opponents, as is often claimed. In 1918, when ordinary courts could not cope with banditry, murder, rape and repeat offenders, it was decided to use shooting for serious criminal offenses. Already in December 1921, such troikas of the Cheka were abolished. This practice was returned sporadically: in 1923 - to combat mass counterfeiting, and temporary local troikas were created against gangs and White Guards. In 1933, “RKM troikas” (militia) were introduced, which dealt exclusively with repeat offenders, but did not have the right to impose death sentences.

The “troika” format was chosen as the most rational: one person bears excessive responsibility, two can reach a dead end due to disagreements, and three allow informed decisions to be made. These bodies acted extrajudicially only in the sense of a simplified procedure, remaining within the framework of the legal system. Troikas could not shoot “anyone”—their members bore strict personal responsibility, up to and including their own execution, for abuses or mistakes.