Sues newspaper which said the tyrant had ordered killings of Soviet citizensJosef Stalin was in the dock on Monday when a Russian court held a preliminary hearing in a libel case brought by his grandson over a newspaper story which said the tyrant had ordered the killings of Soviet citizens.
Rights groups say the case shows a creeping attempt in modern Russia to paint a more benevolent picture of the Soviet Union's most feared leader, under whose rule millions perished.
Stalin's grandson, Yevgeny Dzhugashvili, is seeking 9.5 million roubles ($299,000) from the Novaya Gazeta newspaper and 500,000 roubles from the author of an article published last April claiming Stalin personally signed politburo death orders.
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Debate Continues: The many sides of the Stalin myth bloody tyrant and war leader, Kremlin puppet master and economic miracle worker are still the subject of a heated debate in Russia. Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT  |