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In one particularly striking example, the Okhrana had infiltrated the leadership of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, a major revolutionary organization in Russia. The head of the party's terrorist wing, Yevno Azef, was revealed to be an Okhrana agent, sowing chaos and mistrust within the party's ranks.
The Allure of Betrayal
The appeal of betrayal and the "Machiavellian joy in deceit" can be a powerful draw for some individuals. The sense of being the only one privy to the true nature of the powerful people they interact with, and the rush of manipulating them, can be intoxicating. This ego-driven motivation, combined with the pull of money and ideology, can create a potent recipe for recruitment and espionage.