Gábor Péter

Who was Gábor Péter?

Gábor Péter was a Hungarian Communist politician, of Jewish origin. Between 1945 and 1952 he was the absolute leader of the State Protection Authority which responsible for much cruelty, brutality and many political purges.

During his early years he worked as a tailor. He took part in the labour movements from the last years of the 1920s. In 1931 he joined to the Hungarian Communist Party.

In January 1945 he was appointed as leader of the Budapest Police Main Command Political Department. Péter's career rose quickly then: he became leader of the Hungarian State Police State Protection Department then the State Protection Authority. Under his leadership the organization committed serious illegitimacies and crimes against the humanity. Gábor Péter had big role in the organizing of the show trials.

In 1952 he was discharged from his position. Later he was arrested in Mátyás Rákosi's villa. According to historian Tibor Zinner, Gábor Péter was present on an official visit. Unexpectedly a handcuff clicked on his hand put back. After that Mihály Farkas stepped forward from behind the curtain and said: "the game is over". Gábor Péter's wife, Jolán Simon who served as Rákosi's secretary was also arrested.