Who is Rasputin from Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail and what is their importance?

Rasputin is the name given to a man who was from the village of Malika's grandmother. He made contact with the family while they were held in the desert fortress and frequently smuggled large quantities of food and provisions over the wall. When he was caught, the family was punished with less rations of food but were able to survive because of the stores Rasputin had helped them put aside.