Garegin Apresov

Garegin Abramovich Apresov (; 6 January 1890 – 11 September 1941) was a multifaceted figure of the Soviet era — a revolutionary, diplomat, intelligence officer, and Comintern representative whose work lay at the intersection of politics, ideology, and intelligence, particularly in the context of Asian affairs. Before joining the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, he had extensive experience in political activities, including work in the government of Baku commissars, as well as active participation in the communist movement. As an expert on the East, he proved himself effective in operational work and propaganda. He worked in the USSR missions in Persia and China, holding posts including Chargé d'Affaires of the USSR in Persia, Consul General of the USSR in Urumqi and authorized representative of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) for Xinjiang (China). With personal access to Joseph Stalin, at the peak of his activities in Xinjiang, he had exceptional powers, effectively being the key representative of Soviet interests in the region. He was shot as part of Stalin's repressions.

Early years Garegin A. Apresov (Apresoff, Apresof) was born to an Armenian family in Qusar in what was then Baku Governorate in Caucasus Viceroyalty of the Russian Empire. His parents lived in Baku, but they had a dacha in Qusar. However, according to his own autobiographies, he was born in Baku. He took part in Baku-wide strikes, publishing leaflets and a student magazine. At the end of 1908, the Baku gendarmerie conducted a search of the Apresovs' house, and G. A. Apresov was arrested. He spent several days under arrest. and served as a soldier on the Caucasian Front in the city of Kars. He was later sent to the ensign school in Tiflis. After finishing school, he served on the Persian border in the Cavalry Border Regiment, from where, for anti-war work among the soldiers, he was transferred under supervision to the detachment headquarters and appointed to the position of adjutant of the headquarters.

After the 1917 revolution

Among the Baku commissars From 1917 to 1918 Apresov was the President of the Lankaran Municipal Council near the border with Persia in the territory of modern Azerbaijan, where he was caught up in the February Revolution.

In March 1918 he was named a member of a government's directorate in Baku and later a member of the Directorate for Food in Baku. He provided assistance in organizing food supplies to Baku, which was experiencing a severe food crisis.

From 1918 to 1919 he was the Leader of the Provincial Justice Department in Saratov.

Apresov was described by British diplomats as an ardent communist and energetic propagandist. According to their testimony, the governor of Gilan Nayer es Sultan was completely "under the thumb" of Apresov and supported the communist program.

According to defector G.S. Agabekov, in addition to diplomatic posts, Apresov was a representative of the Foreign Department of the Joint State Political Directorate (INO OGPU) as well as an emissary of Soviet military intelligence and the Comintern (he was an employee of the Executive Committee of the Comintern. ) G.S. Agabekov spoke about G.A. Apresov as follows:

Apresov actively worked with the Armenian diaspora in Persia and tried to influence the church policy of the local Armenian church. The Dashnak Committee in Persia, which had significant influence on church structures, even considered the possibility of moving the episcopal see from Isfahan in order to counteract Apresov's pressure. Further details about the consul's image are contained in the oral recollections of Iranian figure Abol Hassan Ebtehaj, who claims that, on Apresov's orders, Soviet consulate staff in Rasht resorted to harsh pressure on an Iranian lawyer defending a local resident in a dispute with an unnamed Soviet citizen, even going so far as to detain him in the consulate's basement.

Despite his energy and ingenuity, in 1926 Apresov was summoned to Moscow and removed from his post after what the center considered to be a mistake in his political analysis of the uprising in Khorasan.

Work in the USSR Between September 1927 and July 1928, Apresov served as a member of the Military Collegiate of the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union, but resigned at his own request.

From 1927 to 1932 he was a People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (NKID) agent in Baku.

He was NKID's plenipotentiary before the Council of People's Commissars of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1929 and the Uzbek SSR It is known that in 1928, Apresov participated in the creation of a special “Eastern Department” at the Society for the Study of Azerbaijan in Baku, which was engaged in studying the political and socio-economic situation in neighboring Eastern countries, including Iran and Turkey, as well as preparing analytical materials and bulletins on current events.

There is a mention of Apresov giving lectures on tactics in Central Asia at the Communist University of the Toilers of the East. USSR Consul G. A. Apresov at an official reception in China (Xinjiang), 1934

Work in China

In 1933, Apresov was appointed Consul General of the USSR with special powers in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

The 1930s were marked by a period of close cooperation between the USSR and the government of Sheng Shicai in Xinjiang, which ensured Xinjiang's de facto protectorate status under the auspices of the USSR. Following his appointment, Apresov soon became the "grey cardinal" in Sheng Shicai's court and the primary operator of Soviet policy in Xinjiang; he personally participated in the political reorganization of the entire region and oversaw military and economic aid to the region.

According to Sheng's adjutant, Zhao Jiangfeng, during the Islamic field commander Ma Zhongying's offensive on Urumqi in the winter of 1933–34, Sheng summoned Apresov every day or two at night for meetings, urging him to expedite the introduction of Soviet troops. Apresov did indeed play a key role in that crisis: in January 1934, Red Army units were secretly introduced into Xinjiang, disguised as the "Altai Volunteer Army." The operation was led by the head of the GUPO and V/OGPU, M. P. Frinovsky, with whom Apresov had had a hostile relationship since both of their time working in Baku in 1930.

Apresov established himself as one of the key intermediaries in resolving the crises in Xinjiang. In 1933, he organized negotiations between Sheng Shicai and the Uyghur leader Khoja Niyaz, which led to the conclusion of an alliance agreement and altered the balance of power in the region. Later, in 1936, Apresov personally met in Kashgar with the military commander Mahmut Muhiti and dissuaded him from attempting to proclaim an independent Uyghur state, insisting instead on cooperation with Sheng Shicai’s pro-Soviet government.

At the same time, Apresov advocated for more active representation of the various ethnic groups of Xinjiang in local government bodies. According to some estimates, it was Apresov who could have contributed to the introduction of the concept of "Uyghur" as an ethnonym for the indigenous sedentary Turkic-speaking Muslims of southern and eastern Xinjiang, which was in line with the Soviet practice of nation-building.

Soviet representatives played a key role in the governance of the region. Three waves of Soviet emissaries (1931, 1935, and 1936), consisting mainly of Han Chinese living in the USSR, joined the Xinjiang secret police, the People's Anti-Imperialist Association (created by the initiative of Apresov ), the Border Affairs Department (which also dealt with intelligence), and other important institutions. This allowed the USSR to exercise significant influence over the governance of the province, and Sheng was often forced to appoint Soviet-trained emissaries to high positions. This activity was coordinated by G.A. Apresov. At a meeting in July 1935, Soviet representatives declared their intention to eliminate Sheng if necessary if he no longer met Soviet interests.

Apresov also actively advocated for the accelerated development of Xinjiang's rich natural resources (especially oil). In the summer or early September 1935, while on vacation in the USSR, he discussed this topic with Stalin at his dacha in Sochi. On September 4, 1935, Stalin wrote to Molotov and Kaganovich from Sochi to Moscow: “Shouldn’t we ensure that the USSR is represented in Xinjiang only by Apresov, and that our Chekists in Xinjiang refuse to manage and obey Apresov in everything?”.

On September 10, 1935, Apresov became the Commissioner of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, whose tasks included ensuring that representatives of all departments including the NKVD and NKO pursue a single line; employees of other people's commissariats were prohibited from taking any actions that had or could have political significance for the USSR and the line being pursued in Xinjiang without the prior permission of the Commissioner of the Central Committee. Apresov was also given the authority to remove from office and send back to the USSR any Soviet workers in Xinjiang. On September 13, 1935, on the proposal of Molotov, Kaganovich, and Voroshilov, approved by Stalin, Apresov was awarded the Order of Lenin (without publication in print).

As a result of the new approvement, Apresov found himself under dual operational subordination - to the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks). This state of affairs could not please the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs M. M. Litvinov, who was forced to repeatedly appeal to Stalin with requests to influence his subordinate, who was inclined to explicitly lead the local Chinese authorities. "Although Apresov is listed as a plenipotentiary representative," the People's Commissar wrote to Stalin in December 1936, "he is actually outside my influence, so instructions from me will not achieve their goal."

Apresov wielded so much power in Xinjiang that he became generally known as "Tsar" Apresoff. Thus, the British Lieutenant Colonel R. Schomberg noted in this regard: "In a city like Urumqi, the central figure is the Soviet consul. What he does, what he says, what he thinks, where he is going - his every action is of great interest to everyone."

Soon, Yu Xiusong became romantically involved with Sheng Shitong, Sheng Shicai's younger sister. However, their relationship encountered resistance from Sheng’s family, especially her brother, who doubted the advisability of this union. Apresov played a key role in overcoming these obstacles — he personally intervened to convince Sheng Shicai to agree to the wedding. In 1936, a lavish ceremony took place, attended by high-ranking officials, including representatives of the Soviet side. A documentary film was made about the event, which was then shown to Stalin. Through Apresov, Stalin gave the newlyweds a box of clothes as a gift. However, in 1937, Yu Xiusong was arrested on charges of belonging to Trotskyists and sent to the USSR, where he was later executed. The arrest was initiated by the former head of the Main Directorate of Border and Internal Security (GUPVO) of the NKVD, M. P. Frinovsky, who by that time had become the first deputy of the NKVD People's Commissar N. I. Yezhov and took an active part in organizing political repressions (on November 28, 1937, Frinovsky sent a special message to Stalin regarding Yu Xiusiong ; also that same month, Apresov, who had been arrested by that time, was twice included in Stalin's execution lists under the 1st category, but was not executed ).

According to some reports, while working in China during his stay in the USSR, Apresov met with Stalin at his dacha in Moscow, where Stalin offered him a diplomatic post in Paris, and Apresov, in turn, expressed a desire to remain in the USSR. The exact date of this event is unknown. Swedish traveler Sven Hedin, who met with Apresov in Urumqi, also noted his desire to return to the USSR. On the other hand, the British envoy to Persia, Percy Loraine, remarked about Apresov that if he were given enough rope, he would hang himself. This English idiom means that some people need only be given freedom to act in order to compromise or ruin themselves through their own mistakes.

The defector G. S. Agabekov noted Apresov’s love of adventure and risk, as well as his value as an intelligence officer. Iranian figure Abol Hassan Ebtehaj mentioned that Apresov was "a very, very bold person and interfered in everything."

In 1927, the USSR Plenipotentiary Representative in Persia K. K. Yurenev described Apresov as follows: Apresov significantly helped Hedin in obtaining permits from the Chinese authorities to organize his expedition. Hedin claimed that Apresov wielded more power in Xinjiang than Governor Shen Shicai. According to Hedin, Apresov saved the entire expedition, and possibly his own life. Hedin was also warmly received at the USSR Consulate General, and a large banquet was organized in honor of the meeting.

English traveler and diplomat Eric Teichman was also warmly received at the USSR Consulate General and even participated in the lavish 12-hour celebration of October Revolution Day, which ended with a screening of a Soviet film about Chapayev. Teichman noted the exceptional hospitality of Apresov and his staff. After Apresov was arrested by NKVD officers in 1937, he was, among others, accused of espionage with Teichman.

Arrest and death

In 1937, another uprising broke out in Xinjiang. Shen Shicai, aware that the Soviet leadership could harshly reprimand him for his failures in suppressing it, portrayed the rebellion as the work of mythical Trotskyists led by Apresov, whose goal was to separate Xinjiang from the Soviet Union. Moreover, a secret personal message was delivered to Moscow by the dupan's brother, Shen Shiqi. A total of 435 people were allegedly involved in the conspiracy. Shen Shicai launched his own purge in Xinjiang, with assistance from the NKVD.

On May 4, 1937, at a trade union plenum in Urumqi, Apresov came under organized pressure; at the meeting, a characterization of Apresov, written in a critical tone, was presented by the vice-consul in Urumqi and an employee of the Soviet special services, I. T. Orelsky (Bovkun) , who two years later, in the summer of 1939, himself, along with his wife, fell victim to an extrajudicial execution (killed with a hammer and/or strangled by NKVD officers).

Apresov was subsequently recalled from China, and on June 13, 1937, he was dismissed from the USSR People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs. Following this, on July 6, 1937, he was arrested, and his Moscow apartment was searched. During the search, among other things, the Order of Lenin, a Mauser pistol, and 90 rounds of ammunition were seized. issued a decree selecting a preventive measure for Apresov in the form of detention, as well as charging him under Articles 58-1, paragraph "a" and 58-6 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR ("conducted espionage work for England"). This decree was formally approved by Deputy People's Commissar of the NKVD L. N. Belsky only on December 7, 1937.

Apresov's interrogations continued until early January 1938. They included confessions and testimony against other people. of the 3rd Department of the GUGB NKVD, in the investigative unit, issued a decree stating that Apresov was last interrogated on January 4, 1938, and the protocol on the completion of the investigation was signed on January 28, 1938, "and since then, for unknown reasons, the case has been inactive for approximately 11 months." Due to the need for additional investigation and "to verify the veracity of Apresov's testimony," the investigator decided to file a petition with the USSR Prosecutor to extend the investigation and detention period for one month. This resolution was approved by V. G. Dekanozov, Deputy Chief of the GUGB NKVD. Similar decisions to extend the investigation period were subsequently made more than once. This period was characterized by the gradual winding down of the "Great Terror". His case was transferred to Junior Lieutenant of State Security Khitsenko, a junior investigator in the NKVD investigative unit. In Sukhanovskaya prison, Apresov was subjected to torture and ill-treatment and began to give a partial confession. Apresov's testimony suggests that he did indeed have antagonistic relationships with a number of NKVD officers serving in Xinjiang. The list of 170 prisoners held in Oryol Prison was compiled by the NKVD's 1st Special Department under Kobulov's direction and with his direct participation. It was Kobulov who made various notes on the list and determined the fate of each prisoner.

Most of the NKVD officers who participated in the investigation and repressions against Garegin Apresov themselves became victims of Stalin’s purges.

Brother - Konstantin Abramovich Apresov

Brother - Tsovak Abramovich Apresov

Brother - Gurgen Abramovich Apresov

Brother - Grigory Abramovich Apresov

In literature - Tatiana Ovanessoff's novel "Spy's apprentice: a novel inspired by true events in Persia".

- Alexander Gorokhov's novel "Employee of the Foreign Department of the NKVD".