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92 years pass since occupation of Azerbaijan by Soviet Russia

27 April 2012 12:42 (UTC +04:00)

92 years ago the independent state of Azerbaijan was occupied by Bolshevik-Russian army.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which existed for 23 months, was overthrown. All attributes of the independent state were abolished and Azerbaijanâ€™s area was annexed to the Soviet empire.

In March, 1920, Armenians rebelled in Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The ADR had to send the army to Karabakh to protect its citizens from the genocide. Thatâ€™s why Baku remained without protection. The Russian XI Red Army invaded Azerbaijan and entered Baku on April 26-27, 1920. The ultimatum of the Bolsheviks on the handover of power was discussed at the last meeting of Azerbaijani Parliament held on April 27. Mahammad Amin Rasulzadeh and the others were opposed the occupation. But the historical conditions and unequal forces made Azerbaijan sign an agreement consisting of 6 articles and hand over power to the Bolsheviks. According to the agreement, the political parties had to continue their activity and the political figures of the Azerbaijani Republic had a right to integrity. But after the occupation the political parties were closed, the activity of Musavat Party was banned and its members were repressed. At the same time Ganja governor Khudatat bey Rafibeyov was executed, prime ministers Nasib bey Yusifbeyli and Fatalikhan Khoyski were killed in mysterious conditions and Mahammad Amin Rasulzadeh was arrested.

About 150 revolts occurred in Azerbaijan against the Bolsheviks after the occupation. The largest one started on May 26, 1920 in Ganja. The soldiers of the Azerbaijani Army and Ganja residents killed 8,000 Russian soldiers during the revolt which continued till June 4. Then the Bolsheviks sent additional divisions to Ganja, repressed the revolt, destroyed the city and killed about 10,000 Ganja residents.

The occupation, which became official on April 28, was celebrated as a holiday during 71 years of existence of Soviet empire. Only after restoration of Azerbaijanâ€™s independence in 1991, the April 27 realities were made public and got its place in the history. April 27 has been marked as the day of occupation, May 28 â€“ as the day of Independence (Republic) since that time.