“The fate of Azerbaijani soldiers who fought against fascist forces in Europe, especially in France, has been the subject of years of investigation by the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. Although some heroic figures, such as Ahmadiyya Jabrayilov, are well known to the public for their contributions to France’s liberation, the actual number of Azerbaijani heroes is far greater—possibly in the thousands,” Leyla Abdullayeva, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France, said, AzVision.az reports citing AZERTAC.

Leyla Abdullayeva noted that embassy representatives are currently in the city of Rodez, in the Aveyron department of France, where hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers fought alongside the French Resistance against fascism.

“We are here at the site where 30 Azerbaijanis were executed by German fascists on August 17, 1944,” the ambassador said. “In fact, there were 31 of them—only one managed to escape and survive,” the diplomat mentioned.

“Vencent Besombes, French historian and President of the Rodez Committee of the Souvenir Francais, which was created to honor the memory of those who died for France in World War II (French people, as well as people from other countries), has made a special archival research. The research also revealed that, in addition to the 30 individuals executed on August 17, the graves of two more Azerbaijanis—who were shot the following day—were discovered at the same site,” the ambassador underlined.

Leyla Abdullayeva emphasized the importance of carrying out this research even further, particularly in French archives and in collaboration with French historians. “It is essential to study and honor the struggle of Azerbaijani heroes who fought against fascism for the freedom of this country—far from their homeland, in France—and to pass this legacy on to future generations. It is a duty for each of us - as Azerbaijanis,” the diplomat added.

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