Who is Ivan Kondratiev from The Case of Comrade Tulayev and what is their importance?

Kondratiev is an emissary of the U.S.S.R. who takes on many different disguises. He is a career revolutionary, over fifty years old. He is sent to Spain under disguise to collect information on the Revolution there, and he is very concerned with the reports he receives. They highlight corruption, lack of supplies, a starving population, and probable defeat. Kondratiev is tired and is beginning to believe that the rumors of corruption are true. After Kondratiev returns and gives his report to the Chief, he goes slightly mad as he tries to get used to his new position at the Combustibles Trust in Moscow. He is paranoid that soon he will be arrested along with many of his colleagues, but he decides he will fight. Kondratiev is the only accused man to escape arrest, partly because of his close friendship with the Chief. He tells the Chief the truth, and this miraculously saves his life. The Chief sends him to Siberia to work in the Gold Trust.