Garegin Khazhak

Garegin Khazhak (also Karekin Khajag, ; 6 October 1867 – 1915) was an Armenian journalist, writer, political activist and educator. A member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Khajag traveled around the world to help support revolutionary activity. During his life, Khazhak was imprisoned four times. He became a professor and a principal in several Armenian schools throughout the region. In 1915, Khazhak was arrested and subsequently killed during the Armenian genocide.

Life

Garegin Khazhak was born Garegin Chagalian on 6 October 1867 in Aleksandropol within the Russian Empire (present-day Gyumri, Armenia). He was called Chakal Oghli (Turkish: son of Chakal), which would later be rendered as Khazhak by those around him. In 1883, after attaining his early education locally, he continued his higher education at the Gevorgian Seminary. Graduating in 1886, Khazhak became a teacher and for seven years taught in parochial schools in Baku, Akulis, and Ganja. On the night of 24 April 1915, Khajag was arrested and imprisoned in Constantinople, then sent via train to Ayaş, a village located in the interior provinces of the Ottoman Empire. Confined in a prison at Ayaş, Khajag along with Rupen Zartarian, Sarkis Minassian, Khachatur Malumian, Harutiun Jangülian, and Nazaret Daghavarian were to be transferred to Diyarbakir on 2 June. Ostensibly, they were to undergo a court-martial in Diyarbakir; however, Khajag along with the rest were murdered en route in the area of Karacur between Urfa and Severek (today Siverek). The order for the murder was given from Captain Şevket to Haci Onbaşı, a member of the Special Organization.