ON GUARD FOR HUNDRED YEARS

This year the national security bodies of Azerbaijan celebrate the 100^th anniversary of establishment. Leaving behind a thorny but glorious historical development path, they have become one of the cornerstones of the Azerbaijani statehood.

First organisation

The history of state security bodies of modern Azerbaijan dates back to the days of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). Shortly after its proclamation on May 28, 1918, republican authorities had to solve a number of critical tasks, such as ensuring the sovereignty of the country, protecting the nation from various internal and external threats, neutralising forces trying to undermine sustainable development and political stability in the state. The relevance of taking immediate actions can be explained by the fact that the First Republic was subject to external aggression, particularly from the Republic of Armenia, a new state established on native Azerbaijani territory of Iravan (Iravan Khanate) and adjacent areas.

Following the establishment of the national army, the government of ADR began to create special services. On March 28, 1919 , Minister of War Samed-bey Mehmandarov and the Chief of the General Staff Mammad-bey Sulkevich signed an order establishing intelligence and counterintelligence departments subordinate to the General Staff and empowering them with the functions of special services. However, the lack of professional staff, poor logistics and lack of authority within these departments due to their non-independent status under the Ministry of War could not allow them to expand their activities. That is why General Mehmandarov highly appreciated the dedication of the security services in the conditions of increasing external threats and intensifying domestic Bolshevik movement openly supporting the overthrow of Azerbaijan's national government. However, he believed that the fight against Bolshevism is a nationwide issue and the Department of Military Counterintelligence cannot deal with all the challenges threatening the young republic.

On June 9, 1919, the government established the State Defence Committee (SDC), given the socio-political and military situation in the country, as well as increasing external pressure and threats. SDC composed of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Minister of War, as well as the ministers of foreign affairs, communications and justice. On June 11, 1919, it was decided to set up within SDC the Organisation for Combating Counter-Revolution (OCCR), which has eventually become the first special services body of the nation in contemporary sense. According to the order of the Chairman of SDC, Prime Minister Nasib-bey Yusifbayli, member of parliament Mammadbaghir-bey Sheykhzamanly was appointed the Chief of OCCR. Shortly after, on August 20, Sheikhzamanly also became a member of the agrarian commission of the parliament and was relieved of his post at his own request and his brother, Naghi-bey Sheikhzamanly, was appointed as the new chief of OCCR.

The primary objective of OCCR was to ensure the security of the country in the face of the growing threat of an invasion by the Volunteer Army of the White Guard Russian General Denikin. Agents of the Denikin Army in Baku infiltrated the National Army of Azerbaijan in order to find out military secrets, trying to attract new soldiers and officers to the White Guard and organising various provocations against ADR. OCCR successfully combatted against Denikin's espionage network in Azerbaijan. Among the achievements of special services of ADR was the neutralisation of the agents of the Volunteer Army, who worked closely with British intelligence.

OCCR included representatives of various nationalities and political forces. The operational staff consisted of agents and main agents. The total number of OCCR employees reached over a hundred people.

On September 13, 1919 , SDC decided to appoint Major General Murad Giray Tlehas as the head of a new military body, the Baku Fortified District, in order to counter the possible aggression of the Volunteer Army of General Denikin. On October 26, OCCR was subordinated to the Baku Fortified District.

The legal basis and main missions of OCCR were set forth in the Regulations on the rights and obligations of officials of the counterintelligence service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Employees of the organisation were authorised to detect spies and other individuals engaged in preparing a rebellion against the state, violating the rights and freedoms of officials, and supporting armed resistance to the authorities.

Meanwhile, one of the major missions of the Baku Fortified District was not only the fight against Denikin, but also against the Bolsheviks and Dashnaks, whose activities were directed against the independence of Azerbaijan. Thanks to the efforts of the security forces, one of the organisers and active participants of the genocide of the Azerbaijani people, Stepan Lalayan (Lalayev), was arrested in the spring of 1918. In general, Armenian nationalists were hard fighting against Azerbaijan being engaged in sabotage, espionage and terrorist activities in order to destroy the foundations of the young Azerbaijan Republic and to undermine the socio-political stability in the country. Interestingly, most of the individuals detained by the ADR authorities in connection with the offensive of the Denikin army were saboteurs of Armenian nationality. Armenian spies were sending the gathered information not only to the Dashnak centres, but also to Denikin's command, the Bolsheviks, and the British.

In late 1919—early 1920, the Bolsheviks became more active in Azerbaijan. Despite the mobilisation of all power structures, including special services, the military potential of the ADR was not enough to repel aggression from Soviet Russia leading to the dissolution of ADR on April 28, 1920 and the security bodies of independent Azerbaijan. Many members of the security forces, a number of political and government leaders of ADR became victims of the Soviet repressive system. However, their glorious activities, including the dedicated efforts of the employees of the first security agencies of Azerbaijan, will always be remembered in the history of the Azerbaijani people and its heroic struggle for freedom and independence.

Standard of Azerbaijani Chekists

Despite the fall of ADR and the establishment of Soviet power in Northern Azerbaijan, many Azerbaijanis continued their service for the interests of the Azerbaijani people as members of the Extraordinary Commission and various departments of the interior and state security bodies. They have faithfully fulfilled their duties even during the totalitarian political system of the Soviets infamously known for mass repressions and the murder of thousands of representatives of the national intelligentsia, including scientists, writers and art workers tagged as "enemies of the people." The new generation of Azerbaijanis served in the security services under extremely difficult political conditions. However, among them were such professionals as Heydar Aliyev, whom the people of Azerbaijan would later name as its national leader years later. Outstanding public figure and statesman Heydar Aliyev has served exactly twenty-five years in the state security bodies. His personal experience was an example of selfless service to Azerbaijan and its people.

On January 27, 1944, Heydar Aliyev appealed to the leadership of the Nakhchivan Security Service with a request to continue his education in a special school in Baku. After graduating the school with honours in 1945, Heydar Aliyev returned to Nakhchivan. His phenomenal abilities, outstanding personal and professional qualities always attracted the attention of others, including the authorities. Soon after, he was sent to the school of the Ministry of State Security in Leningrad (St. Petersburg, Russia). Upon graduation, Heydar Aliyev has occupied various posts such as the head of the counterintelligence department, deputy chairman and chairman of the KGB of Azerbaijan SSR.

Over the years in security agencies, Heydar Aliyev has gained fame as a legendary security officer. He is the person behind such unique counter-intelligence operations as Duello, Naturalist, Zealot, Ahito, etc, which have exposed the activities of foreign intelligence services and their agents. Aliyev has managed to make a powerful career takeoff from a KGB lieutenant to general. In other words, he has managed to do what none of the Azerbaijanis could ever do before...

Speaking of the merits of Heydar Aliyev during his KGB period, we should particularly note that despite the pressure of the anti-Azerbaijani forces, he paid special attention to cleaning the personnel of Azerbaijan’s security bodies from alien elements, contributed to the promotion of Azerbaijanis in such an important and responsible sphere of public life. He has demonstrated determination and commitment to the preparation of national personnel for the future independent Azerbaijan. He continued his policy of 'nationalisation' of Azerbaijan's security bodies after the appointment to the post of the Chairman of the KGB of Azerbaijan. He has put significant efforts to free many representatives of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia from prisons and prevented their persecution by the Soviet regime. Heydar Aliyev also tried hard to prevent the next round of Armenian claims on Azerbaijani lands and the use of Azerbaijani language at official events. He continued this national oriented line during his tenures as the Secretary of Azerbaijan SSR and the First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers.

Glorious mission

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the restoration of independence of Azerbaijan, a new page has opened in the history of the security forces of our country.

The development of the state security system of Azerbaijan (decision of the Supreme Council of November 1, 1991 to create the Ministry of National Security on the basis of the former State Security Committee, or KGB) intensified considerably after the return of Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993. Thanks to his presidency in 1993-2003, the process of nationalisation of the security bodies of Azerbaijan came to a logical conclusion. This policy was based on the unshakable values ​​of patriotism and professional commitment to Azerbaijan and the society.

Meanwhile, the system of the security forces of modern Republic of Azerbaijan was developing under extremely difficult internal and external political conditions caused by the tough geopolitical struggle of the great powers for the dominance over the South Caucasus region, the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, as a result of which twenty percent of the internationally recognised territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan were occupied. It is impossible to forget an attempt of certain forces to propagate discord in the Azerbaijani society and state. Intelligence officers of Azerbaijan play an instrumental role in repelling the threats against the very existence of Azerbaijan. Six officers of security bodies were awarded the title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev's successor, incumbent President Ilham Aliyev, continues the national strategy to strengthen the national independence and security of the country. The president conducts his deliberate policy in the complex realities of the modern world, the aggravation of struggle between the global powers for global and regional leadership. As part of its tangible contribution to international security, Azerbaijan is actively fighting against international terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and other transnational crimes. But the main thing is that Azerbaijan comprehensively strengthens its independence, economic and military power in the conditions of continuing aggression by Armenia, consistently and steadily bringing about the historic moment of liberation of the occupied Karabakh.

Relevant legislative and regulatory framework, in particular the adoption of such important laws as the laws on national security, intelligence and counterintelligence, state secrets, etc. help the government regulate the state security policy.

At a time when the architecture of global security and the world order is being seriously tested, and the threats to regional peace are increasing, it is necessary to put more efforts to protect and strengthen state independence, to ensure social and political stability in the country. Therefore, it is important to improve the activities of security bodies of Azerbaijan constantly and to convert them into a special service that adequately meets contemporary challenges. Thus, on December 14, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree  on establishing two new security structures, the State Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Azerbaijan “in order to increase the efficiency of the special services of the Republic of Azerbaijan and improve the structure of public administration”.

The Heydar Aliyev Academy of the State Security Service is committed to developing professional officers for security forces of the country.

The special services of Azerbaijan along with other law enforcement agencies celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishment by successfully implementing the law enforcement policy of President Ilham Aliyev. Convincingly demonstrating their loyalty to Azerbaijan and high professional qualities, they continue to adequately neutralise the forces acting against the independence and national interests of Azerbaijan.