Sofi Oksanen - Purge

Of the anti-Soviets identified, six have been arrested-four of them were underground, and two were armed. One was killed in connection with Cheka military activities.

In one year’s time, Soviet citizens have provided 120 statements, nine of which were anonymous. The statements were of the following kind: statements concerning individuals hostile to or suspicious of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, statements concerning the opinions of hostile elements and in hostile areas, and statements concerning anti-Soviet criminals in hiding.

All statements were carefully examined and investigated. Methods for investigation of facts disclosed in the statements were developed rapidly to prevent those individuals from betraying their homeland.

Ext. No. 2Report on the statement of KOSE, Eha, daughter of Matti.

KOSE, Eha, daughter of Matti. Born 1918. Estonian. Resident of Haapsalu.

On March 1 we received a statement from citizen Eha KOSE, daughter of Matti.

In her statement she asserted that her former fiancé, Hans PEKK, son of Eerik, was active in the Omakaitse self-defense league and had exhibited anti-Soviet opinions during the German occupation. Since the dissolution of their engagement, Eha KOSE has only met her former fiancé once, at which time he expressed anti-Soviet opinions to her. Among other things, Hans PEKK implied that the only things being built in Siberia were prisons. Eha KOSE and Hans PEKK broke off contact upon his engagement to Ingel TAMM, daughter of Richard. Hans PEKK subsequently married Ingel TAMM and was reported dead in 1945.

On the basis of this testimony, many witnesses were questioned who confirmed that Hans PEKK had belonged to the above-mentioned organization. One witness, Anton TOOMINGAS, reported that a person resembling Hans PEKK participated in terrorist activities in 1945. TOOMINGAS said that he had heard that a man resembling Hans PEKK had been part of a bandit group that had assaulted members of the executive committee. During this struggle, an unidentified bandit shot and killed executive committee manager Jaani SIREL with a pistol. The same group may have participated in the theft of a truck from the Uue-Antsla butter factory in Vöru Province, in southeastern Estonia. There were no reports of anyone resembling Hans PEKK in Vöru Province, however.

In order to shed light on PEKK’s activities during the German occupation, an operations unit on the matter was established. Among its tasks was an investigation of his purported death and a search for witnesses who could provide information about his possible participation in the murder of Soviet citizens.

Ext. No. 2Report on the activities of Agent “X,” Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

According to the testimony of Agent “Jootti,” the activities of Agent “X” in the Victory Kolkhoz have been exemplary, and there is no reason to question his suitability for transfer from rehabilitation to recruitment status. Agent “X” has recruited two new agents-“Helmar” and “Gooseberry”-from the inner circle of underground nationalists-i.e., the Forest Brothers (a group which includes Jaan SOOP, among others). “Helmar” has a close relationship with Vambola LAURI, who has assisted with the underground nationalists’ food supply. LAURI has informed “Helmar” that he has weapons hidden in his garden but has not provided their exact location.

It is recommended that Agent “X” be provided with two hundred rubles to give to Agent “Helmar.” “Helmar” and “Gooseberry” do not know the whereabouts of the inner circle of nationalists and have not yet visited the homes of their family members. “Helmar” speculates that he will be able to arrange a meeting with nationalist Jaan SOOP on the pretense of giving financial assistance.

Ext. No. 2Report on the activities of Agent “X” in the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard. Born 1920. Estonian. Married to criminal Hans PEKK, son of Eerik. TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard. Born 1925. Estonian. Sister of PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard.

According to the testimony of Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” succeeded in meeting with underground nationalist Jaan SOOP in the forest. SOOP intends to move from the forest to the barn of Vambola LAURI to spend the winter. There is no information on the location of SOOP’s forest bunker. Agent “Helmar” reports, however, that he saw Hans PEKK, who was believed to be dead, on the trail. He is quite certain that it was PEKK. Upon meeting with SOOP, Agent “Helmar” asked him if he had brought a bodyguard with him. Nationalist SOOP denied that he had and expressed surprise. Agent “Helmar” told him that he had seen a man who looked just like Hans PEKK on the trail, to which the bandit SOOP expressed even greater surprise. SOOP said that PEKK was dead, and that he was sure of that fact. Agent “Helmar” did not believe him.

Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM, family members of Hans PEKK, will be presented for another round of interrogation. Previous interrogations did not produce results.

Ext. No. 2Report on the interrogation of TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard.

Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” observed an interrogation of Aliide TAMM following her arrest for providing food to the bandits. The subject denied committing this illegal act and maintained this position. She also stated that she believed that Hans PEKK had died in 1945. The subject did not provide any new information that would assist in the apprehension of nationalist Hans PEKK. Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” have known of the subject for a long time, but they were not certain if she was lying or not.

Ext. No. 2Report on activities for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik, born 1913 in Lihula. Former member of the Omakaitse organization. Went underground in 1943. Collaborated in the German occupation. Reported dead in 1945.

According to Agent “X,” the entire village seems to believe that the nationalist Hans PEKK was killed in 1945. Nationalist RISTLA, Hendrik, an eyewitness to the killing, was liquidated at the beginning of this year. There are no other eyewitnesses. According to RISTLA’s testimony, he and Hans PEKK, after years at the front, were traveling home by horse cart when they were attacked on the forest road. Hans PEKK was shot and killed, but RISTLA was only wounded and was able to escape. According to RISTLA, it was an attempted robbery. When men from the village went to the location the following day they found the emptied wagon, but there was no sign of PEKK’s body. The horse had also disappeared. RISTLA reported that he did not recognize the men who attacked them. Comparable crimes have occurred previously in the province, and for this reason the villagers did not consider the event improbable. RISTLA spoke openly of the occurrence and the story remained consistent over time.

RISTLA was interrogated previously, but not concerning the death of PEKK.

During the German occupation, RISTLA was active on behalf of the Germans and continued to commit a series of counterrevolutionary acts against his country following the occupation. Although we tried to prevent him from betraying his country, we did not succeed-RISTLA continued his illegal terrorist activities until his death.

The bandit Jaan SOOP was arrested on the basis of information provided by Agent “Helmar.” In his interrogation, SOOP confessed to being in contact with Hans PEKK when he was in hiding in the forest. SOOP said that PEKK had disseminated anti-Soviet opinions and stolen money and given it to the peasants. In addition, PEKK threatened to use his pistol to kill any and all Communists in cold blood if he ever had the opportunity. Our information indicates that Hans PEKK also has a rifle.