Njdeh

(1886-1955) Garegin Ter-Harutiunian, Armenian statesman, military, and political thinker, native of Nakhcichevan. Member of Dashnak party, he was involved in revolutionary activities in Armenia, Bulgaria and Russia. In 1912, together with General Andranik he formed an Armenian bataillon to fight against the Turks in the Balkan war. Later, moving back to Armenia, Njdeh commanded different military units. He played an outstanding role in organizing the defense of Karakilis in 1918. Convinced Anti-Bolshevik, he led the defense of Zanguezour in 1921. Following the declaration of independence of Zanguezour from the Soviet Armenia, he was proclaimed Prime-Minister and Minister of Defense. He fled Armenia after the triumph of Bolsheviks, and was involved in patriotic activities in Iran, Bulgaria and USA. Controversial figure, he was expelled from Dashnak party. Staunch Anti-Communist, he came to collaborate with Natzi Germans during the WWII. He was arrested in Sophia, Bulgaria in 1944 and sent to Moscow, then to Yerevan, where he died in prison.

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