Even in the hardest times it was the matter of honour and dignity for us to fight for a handful of native lands. It may safely be said that we are successors of brave and warlike people.

Those with national spirit running in blood and soul, and who cherish the notions of Azerbaijan, home, soil, flag own the highest feelings. Our country is also lucky to have brave sons, who are always ready to sacrifice their lives for their motherland; sons, who could die for the sacred land preserved by our ancestors through fights.

As the protection of our country’s graceful corners always suffering from exterior invasions costed the valiants’ blood and life, Azerbaijan, proud of its heroes at all times, is committed to its heroic traditions and today.

Early last century officials holding high positions in Azerbaijan lived, surely, on penalty of Stalin. Armenian dashnaks and bolsheviks were shooting educated, intellectual men of Azerbaijan without declaring any grounds. It was caused by the fact that educated, intellectual men and military officers of Azerbaijan were prejudicing aggressive plans of armenian dashnaks. And so, the armenians at that period were soiling and removing people in high posts. The educated and intelligent countryman, colonel general Beshir Imanov who had worked at internal affairs bodies for long years managed for several times to save himself from the clutches of repression machine.

Beshir Imanov was born in Fuzuli, one of the largest regions of Garabagh, in 1914. Having gone through all difficulties of life from his early ages, Beshir Imanov witnessed brutal genocide committed by the armenian dashnaks in Garabagh. Yet early last century, the armenians intending to possess Garabagh were doing their best to settle armenians in these territories.

Beshir Imanov was the son of large family. Valiant sons of this family took part in fighting against the dashnak armies in Garabagh. Following the establishment of the Soviet power in Azerbaijan, bolsheviks and dashnaks started repression against the intelligentsia and people of spirit. Thousands of people became the victims of repression. Giving a start to repression in Fuzuli, dashnaks and bolsheviks exiled dozens of intellectual and wealthy people calling them kulaks, or shot without any grounds.

Some close relatives of Beshir Imanov were the victims of this repression. Beshir Imanov, wishing to be a serviceman, on his parents’ insistence entered the Pedagogical School (in 1929) located in Fuzuli. Having finished the school with honours in 1931, he started his teaching activity at a Horadiz secondary school by assignment.

Upon graduation from the Railway Technical School in Baku in 1943, Imanov worked at Hajili station. Thereon, to continue with his education he entered the Railways Institute in Tbilisi, and was assigned the deputy chief of the railway to Alat-Nakhchivan part after graduating from the Institute.

In 1948 Beshir Imanov started to work at police agencies. In 1960 he was appointed the Police chief of Azerbaijan Railway Department. On 27 December 1967 Beshir Ismayil oglu Imanov was given the honorary title “Hero of Socialist Labour”. In 1967 he met with Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev at the Kremlin, and Aliyev congratulated Beshir Imanov on his appointment to the high rank of colonel general. The meeting was the start of friendship between Beshir Imanov and the Great Leader.

Beshir Imanov, winning everyone’s respect with his best service at police agencies, contributed to military training of the youth as well. Upon his insistence and assistance, many of the young people were sent to higher military schools which were beyond the attainment for the Azerbaijanis at that period. In all his posts Beshir Imanov proved he was a general loyal to his homeland and people. He was always the focus of attention as an example of excellence. Interestingly, though Beshir Imanov was awarded the rank of colonel general, he couldn’t bear that rank. He died of heart attack in 1969.

Despite of rising to the rank of general in the soviet period, Beshir Imanov – a simple and modest person had never forgotten his commitment to religion. He would never leave hopeless the people coming to him for help. General Beshir Imanov succeeded to occupy rightful place in hearts with his deeds.

To be noted that this article was made with the assistance of Beshir Imanov’s sister’s grandson - Elshad Iman.

Elshad Hasan oglu Imanov — (changed surname to Iman in 2011 due to nationalization of last names) — member of the New Azerbaijan Party.

Elshad Iman is the grandson of General Beshir Imanov’s sister.

Elshad Iman was born in Fuzuli on 7 July 1986.

Elshad started his primary education at the secondary school No 63, Khatai district, Baku city in September 1993. From 2000, in connection with the change of residence, Elshad continued his education at Narimanov district secondary school No 39 (mathematical bias). In 2001, he passed an exam held by the Ministry of Education without attending the classes, and completed the school a year earlier in 2003.  

In 2003, he was admitted to the Azerbaijan State Economic University, the faculty of International Economic Relations.

In 2006 Elshad took part in Greco-Roman wrestling events held in Azerbaijan. He won the 5th place in Azerbaijan championship and the 2nd in Baku championship. Elshad Iman is registered (No 17, 12.09.2006) as the first class sportsman within physical training team of the youth and sports department, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 2007 Elshad completed his higher education and received diploma in International Economic Relations. He performed his service in the armed forces during 2007-2008.

He has been a member of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) since early 2009.

From 2010 to 2014, he held the position of 13th degree economist at Economic Analysis and Forecasting Department of SOCAR Caspian Sea Oil Fleet.

Married with a child.

Official website: www.elshadiman.com