Ottoman/Turkish Republic Armenian Document #12
Name/Title
Ottoman/Turkish Republic Armenian Document #12Scope and Content
It is recorded that Misak Ohannesian, an Ottoman subject of Armenian nationality, originally from Tekfurdağı and residing at No. 23 on Çimen street in Pangaltı, worked as an itinerant photographer. On the night of 8 July 1334 (21 July 1918), at around 11 p.m., he was seen wandering in the Firuz Ağa area while carrying a bundle of goods. Suspecting that the items in his possession were stolen, authorities detained him. However, following an investigation, it was determined that the goods were not stolen and were in fact his personal property. Further inquiry into his identity revealed that he had fled to America approximately twenty years earlier, and that he had returned to Istanbul three and a half years prior using a foreign (American) passport, despite being an Ottoman subject. After his return, he engaged in grocery trade in Pangaltı and Kabataş. During questioning, his reason for fleeing to America, as well as the suspicious circumstance of re-entering the country with a foreign passport despite his Ottoman nationality, were specifically noted. These matters were considered sufficiently serious to require further investigation by higher authorities. Although no evidence of theft was found, Misak was unable to fully establish his identity, possessed no definitive documentation, and stated that he knew no one locally, which caused continued suspicion. Among his belongings were 24 lira in cash, various papers, and a certificate issued by the French Consulate in an American city, indicating that he was a national of the Armenian Republic. His goods and cash were duly seized by the authorities. As no political or criminal action could be pursued on the basis of the available evidence, it was deemed appropriate that he be treated as a “vagrant” (serseri) and “immigrant” (muhacir). Accordingly, permission was requested for his transfer—either to the Second Branch or, against receipt, to the Muhacirhane (Immigrant Office) for further external processing. This report was submitted on 15 July 1334 (28 July 1918) on behalf of the Investigation Commission.Category
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