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Ali Akbar Derakhshani (Persian: علی‌اکبر درخشانی; February 28, 1896 – March 27, 1978) was one of the founders of the New Iranian Army. This military force was established during the reign of Ahmad Shah Qajar.

Background

Ali Akbar was born on February 28, 1896, in Tehran. His family was Azerbaijani and Shiite. His father, Ali Naqi Khan Kangerlu (son of Khan Mohammad Khan), was among the first Iranian officers of the Persian Cossack Brigade. He was born in 1863 in the village of Khaneqah Sorkh near Urmia, and he passed away in Tehran in 1903, where he was buried in Imamzadeh Masoom fa. Ali Akbar's grandfather, Reza Qalikhan, migrated from the Nakhchivan region to the south of the Aras River in 1827, following the Turkmancha treaty between the governments of Iran and Russia. Many people and tribal leaders unwilling to accept Russian citizenship joined him. Ali Akbar attended high school at the Kazakh Brigade military school in Tehran. At the age of 18, he entered the Gendarmerie officer school and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. During his service in the gendarmerie, he was assigned to the 6th regiment of Lorestan. After participating in intense wars and ensuring regional order, he was reassigned to Isfahan with the 6th regiment. Later, he joined the National Defense Committee with this regiment in Sultanabad. He participated in the Bid Sorkh (Red Willow) pass Wars between the Iranian forces and the Tsarist Russian forces and was awarded battle badges.

Cossack Brigade and Uniformed Troops: Gilan Wars

In 1918, he resigned from the Gendarmerie and joined the Cossack army with the rank of second colonel. He served in the Cossack Atriyad in Rasht. Displaying great bravery in the wars with Mirza Kuchik Khan, he quickly rose through the ranks, reaching the rank of full colonel within five years. He was appointed as the commander of the Gilan brigade, one of the largest divisions in Iran's army. During this time, he was directly involved in fierce wars between the Iranian military and the Russian Bolshevik forces, who had invaded Gilan and occupied various areas, including the cities of Rasht, Bandar Anzali, and Astara. Afterward, he became the head of the Mazandaran military. His diary detailing the Gilan wars serves as a valuable source for historians. In these notes, Brigadier Derakhshani clearly wrote that while the people of Gilan fully supported Mirza Kuchik Khan against the government forces, they sincerely supported the soldiers of the Iranian government in the war with the Bolsheviks.

Urmia: Command of the Sepahban Regiment and Forces of Three Provinces

On October 21, 1933, Ali Akbar Derakhshani was appointed as the commander of the newly established Sepahban regiment in his father's hometown, Urmia. This regiment had the crucial task of safeguarding the northwestern border areas of the country. Shortly after, he was entrusted with the command of the forces of three provinces - Urumieh, Khoy, and Salmas, which included the Lymouth Cavalry Regiment. This marked the beginning of his extensive missions in the western regions of Iran.

The people of Urmia and its surroundings endured hardships due to foreign occupation, prolonged bloody clashes among nomadic groups and sectarian conflicts, which resulted in murder, plunder, and insecurity. The city and its neighboring villages were left in semi-ruinous conditions. Two infantry companies and a machine gun company of the Sepahban regiment were housed in dilapidated buildings without basic amenities like toilets, forcing soldiers to relieve themselves in nearby alleys. Derakhshani worked tirelessly to address various shortcomings. Additionally, since other government offices were not fully established yet, he also focused on improving the living conditions of the people.

Within a few months, conditions for the residents began to improve. However, the soldiers' living conditions remained dire, with irregular and delayed delivery of salaries, rations, and clothing. The government lacked the funds to build barracks, leaving only the remnants of Russian barracks which locals had scavenged to repair their own homes. Derakhshani, with the cooperation of local commissions and support from residents, embarked on rebuilding a new barracks on the ruins, with Ayatollah Arab Baghi, the religious authority of West Azerbaijan, initiating the reconstruction effort. Without central government funding, he mobilized residents to construct a thirty-meter street followed by additional squares and streets.

Other initiatives included establishing a telephone line between Urmia, Salmas, and Khoy, utilizing leftover wires from the Russian army, and recruiting builders and carpenters from Tabriz to expedite city reconstruction efforts.

Camping to the West

On November 5, 1924, Ali Akbar Derakhshani was appointed to lead the advance forces of the Al-Jish Army, comprised of the Sepahban regiment and nomadic forces, as the army embarked on a mission to disarm nomads and restore order in the western regions of Iran. His service with the Sepahban regiment spanned twenty months and twenty-two days during this challenging campaign.

Shortly after, he assumed command of the army's first column, succeeding Brigadier General Abul Hasan Pourzand. Ahmad Agha Amir Ahmadi served as the Amir of Lashkar-e-Gharb (Western Army) during this time. Differences arose between Pourzand and Derakhshani regarding the management of the army from the outset.

The army's initial objective was to assert control over Gholamreza Khan Abu Qadareh, the governor of Pushtkoh, who had defied central government authority. The campaign successfully disarmed nomadic groups in Pushtkoh, Kabirkoh, and other areas of Lorestan, as well as Kurdish regions surrounding Kermanshah, collecting over five thousand rifles from various clans—a significant step towards establishing security in the western region.

The camping and 20-month march was marked by hardships, including hunger, thirst, and extreme weather conditions. Some resorted to consuming only dry corn kernels to stave off hunger, resulting in fatalities due to starvation and dehydration. The camp lost all its camels due to lack of fodder and harsh weather, and two hundred horses and mules perished during a short period in the tropical region of Mansourabad. Despite these challenges, camp officials and individuals remained steadfast in their duties, achieving their objectives.

During this period, Derakhshani had only one five-day leave, during which he visited Al-Atabat Al-Aliyat with permission from Reza Shah, crossing the border without identification and in civilian attire. Upon returning to Urmia (now Rezaieh) in 1926, the Sepahban regiment received a warm welcome from the locals.

During the subsequent four years in Urmia (which was recently renamed to Rezaieh), Derakhshani undertook various construction projects and completed ongoing works, including the Red Lion and Sun Society. With initial funding from Ayatollah Mujtahid Arab Baghi, he established the first Iranian hospital in the region, providing medical care and services previously offered only by American religious missions. The hospital's establishment garnered support from the local populace, prompting increased donations.

Following the death of the regional brigade commander, Derakhshani assumed command of the brigade while retaining his guarantor position.

Lorestan and Ilam

On June 30, 1930, during a meeting at Saad Abad Palace, Reza Shah expressed concern over the prolonged unrest in Lorestan, particularly in the Kabirkoh region, which posed a threat to the connectivity of Khuzestan with the rest of the country. He appointed Ali Akbar Derakhshani to resolve the situation swiftly, granting him the authority to receive direct orders from the Shah for crucial matters. Derakhshani assumed the role of military governor of Kabirkoh and Abdanan, replacing Brigadier Mohammad Ali Behzadi.

Despite being placed under the command of Brigadier General Abul Hasan Porzand, conflicts between Porzand and Derakhshani persisted, leading to Porzand's dismissal on August 2 of the same year by the order of Reza Shah. Derakhshani assumed control of the Pushtkoh government while retaining his previous position, effectively taking on the responsibilities of two brigadier generals.

Derakhshani successfully quelled the unrest in Lorestan and persuaded non-compliant tribes in Pushtkoh to submit to the Iranian government. He implemented widespread disarmament, resettled nomadic populations, established comprehensive regulations, government departments, and enforced public duty laws and other national statutes in the border region.

With Reza Shah's approval, Derakhshani oversaw infrastructure projects connecting the region to other parts of the country, including the construction of the first asphalt road and tunnel. He transformed Hossein Abad, the former center of Pushtkoh governors, into a city named Ilam and renamed Mansourabad as Mehran.

Under his leadership, the region saw significant progress in education, with the opening of several primary schools. The improved security situation prompted the return of many Pushtkohi immigrant families from Iraq, leading to tensions between Iran and Iraq due to depopulation of eastern Iraqi villages.

Despite his achievements, Derakhshani was eventually relieved of his duties, and Brigadier Porzand was reinstated in his place. Attempts to prosecute Derakhshani were unsuccessful. His tenure in the Ilam region lasted six years and three months.

Exclusive Royal Estate

In 1940, Ali Akbar Derakhshani assumed the role of head of private property inspection. However, his tenure was short-lived due to his vocal opposition to the practices of royal estates, including objection to forced labor, which he expressed directly to Reza Shah. Consequently, he was dismissed from his position after just two months.

In a letter dated February 16, 1941, Hossein Shakoweh, head of Reza Shah's special office, conveyed a warning on behalf of His Majesty regarding Derakhshani's criticism of forced and unpaid labor within the imperial estates. Derakhshani was instructed to justify his actions and provide his opinion on the perceived harm caused by these practices. Subsequently, he was demoted to inspecting properties in Gorgan, Aliabad, and Gonbad-e Kavus, as well as assuming the governorship of Gorgan.

However, Derakhshani's tenure in this new role was short-lived. When he responded to a telegram from Reza Shah's special office regarding sending wheat from Gorgan to Tehran, stating that the daily bread supply for the people of Gorgan was barely sufficient and there was no surplus wheat to send to Tehran, he was promptly removed from his position by the Minister of Interior.

As a result of these actions, Derakhshani fell out of favor with Reza Shah's administration and was sidelined from further involvement with royal estates. His notes provide valuable historical insights into the functioning of these properties during Reza Shah's reign.

West Azerbaijan Governorate

After more than two years of waiting for service, Ali Akbar Derakhshani was appointed as the deputy commander of the 3rd Azerbaijan Army on June 1, 1943. However, his tenure in this position was brief.

Amid rising insecurity in Rezaieh and the surrounding areas, exacerbated by clashes among clans and the encroachment of Soviet forces, Major General Razm Ara, Chief of Army Staff, deemed the situation disgraceful and politically significant. He selected Derakhshani to address the unrest. Consequently, on July 17 of the same year, Derakhshani was appointed as the commander of the brigade and gendarmerie, as well as the governor of West Azerbaijan.

Derakhshani swiftly restored order in Rezaieh and its vicinity. However, remote villages remained under the control of Kurdish clan leaders due to the absence of government presence. Derakhshani resolved to rectify this by reinstating gendarmerie posts along the Rezaieh-Mahabad road and in surrounding areas, gradually extending government authority and quelling unrest.

In early September, Derakhshani shifted his focus to areas like Khoi and Mako, where looting and violence persisted. After assessing the situation and deploying troops with government consent, he successfully established order in these regions.

In October, Derakhshani presented a report to Mohammad Reza Shah at Marmar Palace, where the Shah expressed gratitude for his efforts. On October 26, 1943, Derakhshani was awarded a military insignia by the Shah and, less than a week later, was promoted to the command of the Azerbaijan Army, despite still holding the rank of colonel.

The Command of the 3rd Army of Azerbaijan and the Government of Pishevari

Upon his appointment as the deputy commander of the 3rd Azerbaijan Army on June 1, 1943, Ali Akbar Derakhshani faced challenges due to the Soviet Army's occupation of Azerbaijan. Soviet troops forcibly removed the army's previous commander, Brigadier General Khosravani, from Tabriz. Despite encountering verbal abuse and insults from Soviet forces, Derakhshani actively monitored the situation in various cities of Azerbaijan, which drew criticism from Soviet generals and the Tudeh Party.

In December 1945, Soviet forces surrounded the Tabriz barracks, restricting the movement of Iranian army personnel. Amid conflicting and impractical orders from the army headquarters, the army found itself unable to resist effectively. Eventually, Major General Arfa issued a final order for the army to disarm and for officers to relocate to Tehran.

On December 13, 1945, following the occupation of Tabriz by Soviet and Democratic Party forces, the Tabriz army surrendered its arms. Major General Arfa's last order instructed the army commander to resist the uprising and, if resistance proved impossible, to relocate to Tehran.

Upon the approval of the council of officers, Brigadier Derakhshani left the army and returned to Tehran. Upon his arrival, he was arrested and subjected to interrogation, leading to a prolonged investigation and trial that culminated in a ruling by the Court of Appeal on March 11, 1948.

Court and Conviction

Ali Akbar Derakhshani's trial was presided over by Major General Abul Hasan Pourzand initially, and later by Major General Mahmoud Khosrupanah fa. The appeal court was headed by Major General Iraj Matboie fa. The military prosecution was initially led by Brigadier General Amir Nizami, succeeded by Brigadier General Abdul Ali Etimad Moghadam, although Colonel Hossein Azmoudah practically handled the prosecution.

The selection of court officials was influenced by various factors. Major General Pourzand, known for his longstanding animosity towards Derakhshani dating back to the Lorestan wars, openly expressed bias against him. Despite being expected to remain neutral, Pourzand engaged in propaganda against Derakhshani even before his appointment as head of the court. Major General Khosruppanah, appointed after Pourzand's death, was close to Major General Arfa, adding to concerns about impartiality.

Major General Matboie, appointed head of the second court, had a controversial past, having commanded the Mashhad army during the Goharshad mosque uprising, leading to subsequent execution. He was also criticized for his actions during the occupation of Azerbaijan.

Colonel Azmoudeh, despite lacking legal expertise, was appointed as deputy prosecutor due to his trustworthiness to Arfa and his associates. He later gained notoriety for his role in trials and executions, earning nicknames like "Eichmann" and "Dracula of Iran."

Despite efforts to convict Derakhshani for political reasons, he was acquitted of charges related to surrendering weapons and provisions and refusing to resist the Democratic Sect. The government's stance, articulated by Prime Minister Ebrahim Hakimi and Minister of War Major General Ali Riazi fa, emphasized avoiding bloodshed and confronting the Soviet-backed uprising.

Despite being found guilty on four charges, including entering into a contract with Pishevari and continuing command, the legal validity of these convictions was questioned. The alleged contract was never presented in court, and the charge of continuing command was retroactively applied.

Ultimately, Derakhshani was sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court, later reduced to 15 years on appeal. He served two years and ten months before being released. The idea that he capitulated to the Democratic Sect is erroneous, given the acquittals and questionable convictions in his case.

Arrest by SAVAK and Death

In the twilight of Mohammad Reza Shah's reign, Ali Akbar Derakhshani was known as an opponent of the regime and was closely monitored. On the night of March 27, 1978, SAVAK agents raided his home, alleging espionage for the Soviet Union, although the veracity of these charges remains uncertain. He subsequently died in Evin Prison.

The circumstances surrounding Derakhshani's arrest and death, coupled with conflicting reports, cast doubt on the accusations leveled against him by SAVAK. At eighty-two years old and with failing eyesight, Derakhshani had been a vocal critic of the government for over three decades. Despite enduring imprisonment and being sidelined from positions of power for nearly three years after leaving the army, he remained under surveillance by SAVAK. Given his physical limitations and social isolation, he was unlikely to have been a viable asset for the Soviet Union.

Derakhshani's public opposition to the government made him a convenient target for security agencies' propaganda. His arrest coincided with the Iranian revolution's critical juncture, as the regime sought to suppress dissent and warn foreign powers against interfering in Iran's affairs. However, the timing of his arrest, following the Tabriz uprising and amidst preparations for demonstrations commemorating the event, raises suspicions about the government's motives.

During the eighteen days of government propaganda surrounding Derakhshani's arrest, details were inconsistent and sensationalized, including allegations of receiving poison from the Soviet Union and confessing under interrogation. The shifting narrative, from his arrest in the street to inside his home, reflects the propaganda's chaotic nature. Subsequent investigations revealed that Derakhshani had died shortly after his arrest, casting doubt on the authenticity of the interrogation narrative.

Moreover, SAVAK failed to provide legal evidence to judicial authorities regarding the grounds for Derakhshani's arrest and death, leaving the accusations vague and dubious. Despite his burial in the family mausoleum in Ray, the circumstances of his arrest and death remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Derakhshani's memoirs, published posthumously in Iran and America, offer insights into his life and opposition to the regime, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of his legacy.