Mehmed Reshid
Mehmed Reshid (Turkish: Mehmed Raşid Şahingiray; 8 February 1873 – 6 February 1919) was an Ottoman physician, official of the Committee of Union and Progress, and governor of the Diyarbekir Vilayet (province) of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. He is known for organizing the 1915 genocide of the Armenian and Assyrian communities of Diyarbekir, in which between 144,000 and 157,000 Armenians, Assyrians, and other Christians were killed. During the Allied occupation of Istanbul, Reshid was arrested and his roles in the massacres were exposed. He later escaped from prison, but committed suicide after being cornered by local authorities.
Mehmed Reshid | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Diyarbekir | |
| In office 25 March 1915 – 1918? | |
| Preceded by | Hamid Bey |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 February 1873 Russian Empire |
| Died | 6 February 1919 (aged 45) Allied-occupied Istanbul, Ottoman Empire |
| Cause of death | Suicide by firearm |
| Political party | Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) |
| Spouse | Mazlûme Hanım |
| Alma mater | Constantinople Military School of Medicine |
| Profession | Doctor |
| Known for | 1915 genocide in Diyarbekir |
According to historian Hans-Lukas Kieser, despite being one of the worst perpetrators, Reshid "is perceived as a patriot and martyr in official Turkish-nationalist diction."