The
Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic (also known as Talyshstan) was a short-lived
self-proclaimed autonomous republic in Azerbaijan, that lasted from June
to August 1993, base on the self determination claims of the Talysh
people.
It was located in extreme southeastern Azerbaijan, envisaging to consist in the 6 administrative districts of Azerbaijan around the regional capital city Lankaran: Lankaran, Lankaran rayon, Lerik, Astara, Masally and Yardymli. Historically the area had been a khanate, one of 15 historic Azerbaijani khanates.
The
autonomous republic was proclaimed amid political turmoil in Azerbaijan,
with the tacit support from Russia. In June 1993 a military rebellion against
president Abulfaz Elchibey broke
out under the leadership of Colonel Surat Huseynov. Colonel Alikram Hummatov
(Alikram Gumbatov), the leader of the Talysh nationalists, seized power
in the southern part of Azerbaijan and proclaimed the new republic in Lankaran,
escalating violence. However, as the situation settled and Heydar
Aliyev rose to power in Azerbaijan, the Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic,
which failed to gain any significant public support, was swiftly suppressed.
Hummatov
was arrested and initially received death sentence which was subsequently
commuted to life imprisonment. In 2004 he was pardoned and released from
custody under pressure from the Council of Europe. He was allowed to emigrate
to Europe after making a public promise not to engage in politics.
Gumbatov was expected to be released due
to the amnesty proclaimed on Azerbaijan's International Solidarity Day
(December 31, 2000). However this never happened. Today, a Talysh National
Movement is still active, their aspiration being the restructuring of the
Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic. However, those who were involved in
proclamation of the autonomy say they always envisaged the autonomous republic
as a constituent part of Azerbaijan.
Talysh Talish Tallish
sources: vikipedia (GNUFDL)