Beria alledgedly began making his move for control. He pushed a political ally into the position of Soviet premier annd himself assumes the position of Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers and then eased political sanctions throughout the Soviet union, setting himself up as a more liberal leader. In June 1953, however, Beria, who had made many enemies, was labeled a traitor and by the orders of Khruschev and was convicted by the Soviet Supreme Court and executed by a firing squad on December 23, 1953 at the Lubianka Prison.