The Cheka and the Anarchists
Action against the Anarchists. April 13, 1918
Communique of the Extraordinary Commission (Cheka)
Original Source: Izvestiia, No. 73, 13 April 1918, p. 3.
The Moscow Soviet authority, together with the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission to Fight Counter-Revolution, Sabotage, and Speculation, decided to disarm the criminal elements which have crowded Moscow and which have been concealing their criminal activity under the flag of anarchism.
On April 11 there was a special meeting of the Extraordinary Commission to which the representatives of several departments and of all city wards were invited. It was decided ... at this meeting to proceed immediately to disarm the robber bands ... A detailed plan was worked out for liquidating the centers of "anarchists." ... Detachments of the Cheka and Soviet troops took part in the liquidation.
The ... regional Soviets were informed of the planned action on the evening of April 11. Certain districts were surrounded by Soviet troops and machine guns placed at definite points. On the same evening a number of arrests were made without any excesses.
At midnight ... the operation commenced. Armored cars were placed opposite the houses occupied by anarchists. The anarchists were asked to surrender their arms immediately. Five minutes were given for reflection. The majority of the anarchists surrendered their arms without any resistance ... Serious resistance was offered by only three groups: (1) the house called "Anarchy" in Little Dmitrievka Street; (2) the house of Tseitlin, in Povarskaia Street; and (3) one in Donskaia Street.