Yuri Churbanov

Yuri Mikhailovich Churbanov (November 11, 1936 – October 7, 2013) was a Soviet politician and Brezhnev's son-in-law. He rose rapidly through the ranks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) during Brezhnev's rule, ultimately achieving the rank of First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Churbanov's career was inextricably linked to his marriage to Galina Brezhneva, Leonid Brezhnev's daughter. This connection facilitated his swift ascent and influence within the Soviet power structure.

After Brezhnev's death, Churbanov was arrested and investigated as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign. In 1988, he was convicted of bribery and abuse of power and sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp. He was later released in 1993, following an appeal and subsequent retrial.

His case became a symbol of the corruption and cronyism that plagued the late Brezhnev era and the subsequent efforts to address these issues under Gorbachev's leadership. After his release, Churbanov largely disappeared from public life. He maintained his innocence, claiming he was a victim of political maneuvering.