149
women’s side. I got my wife’s jewellery and handed it to the Arme-
nian. When the Armenians were just about to leave, another group
arrived with the same claim, however once they were told that their
fellows had already grabbed whatever possible, they all left together.
On the fourth day we all were convoyed to the mosque to meet
with their boss, Amazasp, however he did not arrive. Only the next day
he visited Akhund Mullah Hajjibaba. They shook hands, although the
cleric did it very reluctantly. He started reproaching Amazasp in the
mass manslaughter of theMuslims, violence and arson perpetrated
by the Armenians. He even called them robbers and killers and stated
that they have nothing to do with the Bolsheviks for the Bolsheviks
are granting life, whereas they are taking it away. Amazasp tried to
acquit himself saying he had been ordered to do away with all resi-
dents of Guba and burn the town to ashes, as it was done in Shirvan
(Shemakha), however he showed mercy to us and promised to quit
manslaughter. However the murders went on. The Armenians were
loading all their loot on carts and transporting it somewhere.
Once the Armenians stopped me in the street and tried to rob
me. I spotted a local Armenian in the unit, Yagub, and asked him to
help. He yelled something to the Armenians, so they stepped back,
however, once he went away, they rushed on me again and robbed
me.
Nine days later, having slain a hell lot of people and stolen tons
of money, valuables, home utensils and other stuff, with lots of houses
ablaze, the Armenians finally left the town. In the streets I came across
male dead bodies with hands and noses chopped off.
Besides the abovementioned Yagub, I happened to see the fol-
lowing Guba Armenians in Amazasp’s squad: Varten, son of Grigory,
barber Jevad, Mirza Amirgnov (no guns), Arutyun, Mirzajan’s brother-
in-law.
Besides the assets mentioned above, the Armenians robbed me
of 192 zolotniks (small golden ingots), cash and household stuff esti-
mated at 2000 rubles. Nothing to add to this.
Read aloud to the witness
Translated by E.Khanbudaghov (certified by a signature)
Signed by A.Novatski, the member of the Commission
Reference: SARA, f.1061, op.1, d.96, ll.54-55
Documents on the Devastation of Guba
Witness Testimonies of Residents of the Town of Guba