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Baku. Parvin Abbasov. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. There does not exist concrete view whether one of the 26 Baku commissars Stepan Shaumyan was killed simultaneously with the other commissars or not. There is divergence of views among the Azerbaijani historians. APA reports that professor of the faculty of history of Baku State University, doctor of historical sciences Eldar Ismayilov says in his new book “Степан Шаумян – обреченный на забвение – портрет «легендарного коммунара» без ретуши” (Stepan Shaumyan – doomed to oblivion – portrait of “legendary communard” without retouch) that the Dashnak leader was killed simultaneously with 26 Baku Commissars – on September 20, 1918.

Eldar Ismayilov told APA that his position does not coincide with that of the History Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences that claims that Shaumyan was not killed simultaneously with the other Commissars.
“Facts show that Shaumyan was killed in Aghjagum desert on September 20, 1918. There are concrete witnesses. The Turkmen, who killed Shaumyan, confessed this. The trial was held in Turkmenistan in 1921. We have got little information about it. He said he cut his head with the sword,” he said.

“Actually the person, who led Baku Soviet of People’s Commissars, had anti-Azerbaijani position. In this book I have tried to put an end to the concoctions about Shaumyan. Shaumyan was the enemy of the Azerbaijani people, he was the initiator of the Muslims genocide in Baku province. He declared himself the leader of not only Azerbaijan, but also of the entire Caucasus, Lenin gave him this opportunity. He was appointed as extraordinary commissar of the Caucasus. Generally, Shaumyan wanted the establishment of only Armenian state in the Caucasus. Speaking about the Georgian state he meant only Kutaisi province. He agreed to the establishment of the Azerbaijani state only within the framework of Yelizavetpol province,” he said.

Director of Azerbaijan Institute of History, MP Yagub Mahmudov said that various ideas could appear as the science develops. “Our country is a democratic country. There could be people in Azerbaijan that defend Shaumyan. I don’t approach it fervently. I know Eldar Ismayilov and his potential as a historian. He is valuable historian. I hear that he held presentation of his book, but I didn’t read this book. I regret that he says that Shaumyan was killed. I think with his potential Eldar Ismayilov would write a monograph “Stepan Shaumyan is a murderer of Azerbaijani people. Generally every work must be based on the facts. Top officials of the National Academy of Sciences, including me, watched the process of removal of the monument of 26 from the center of Baku. We worked there three-four days. Whole forensic-medical examination team, as well as director general of the Health Ministry’s Forensic-Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy Center also participated in this process. We asked the investigative group to identify how many bodies were buried there. The examinations were conducted very accurately and 23 bodies were identified. Eldar Ismayilov could say that there were 26 bodies and another one could express different opinion, but history is based on the facts. Forensic-Medical Examination officials identified the bodies for age. We collected all materials about the 26 and examined the bodies, but there was no body at same age with Shaumyan. We investigated the documents and identified that after the execution of the 26 Stepan Shaumyan, Anastas Mikoyan and others were kept in same cell and received packed lunch. We have this and other documents too. Those, who don’t believe in these documents, can take interest in Rashid Behbudov’s fate and the place in India where Shaumyan was buried”, said Mahmudov.

The historian said he would comment the Ismayilov’s book more widely after reading it. “Unfortunately I was not invited to the presentation of this book. They had to invite me, experts of the Institute of History, other scientists…”

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