Okhranyat

Okhranyat is a term of Russian origin, referring to a secret political police force. The most notable Okhrana was the Imperial Russian Secret Police, active from the late 19th century until the Russian Revolution of 1917. Its primary function was to suppress dissent and political opposition against the Tsarist regime.

The Okhrana employed a wide range of methods, including surveillance, infiltration of revolutionary groups, arrests, and sometimes provocations and assassinations. They maintained extensive networks of informants and agents throughout the Russian Empire and abroad. The organization was known for its efficiency and ruthlessness in dealing with perceived threats to the autocracy.

After the February Revolution in 1917, the Okhrana was disbanded. However, the concept of a secret political police force with similar functions has reappeared in various forms throughout history and in different political systems, often carrying a negative connotation due to the Okhrana's methods and objectives. The term itself has become synonymous with oppressive secret police operations.