ÁVH

The ÁVH, or Államvédelmi Hatóság (State Protection Authority), was the Hungarian secret police organization during the Stalinist Rákosi era in Hungary. Established in 1945, it quickly became an instrument of political repression, responsible for widespread surveillance, arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions. The ÁVH played a crucial role in consolidating Communist Party power by eliminating perceived enemies of the state, including political opponents, intellectuals, religious figures, and former landowners.

Its methods were notoriously brutal, often involving show trials, forced confessions, and the establishment of a vast network of informants. The ÁVH operated with significant autonomy and was a key component of the Soviet Union's influence over Hungary. The organization's power and perceived ruthlessness instilled widespread fear among the Hungarian population.

The ÁVH was officially dissolved in 1956 following the Hungarian Revolution. However, its legacy of political persecution and state-sponsored terror left a deep and lasting scar on Hungarian society. The actions of the ÁVH are remembered as a dark chapter in the country's post-war history, symbolizing the oppressive nature of totalitarian regimes.