Stepan Balmashov
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Stepan Valerianovich Balmashov (
University life
Balmashov was born in
Assassination of Sipyagin
In 1902, several Narodnik groups merged to form the Socialist Revolutionary Party, which included the SR Combat Organization headed by Grigory Gershuni, charged with assassinating government officials. Gershuni decided that Sipyagin would be their first target, and Balmashov volunteered to be the assassin.[2] On April 15, 1902 (April 2 Old Style), Balmashov arrived disguised as an employee to the Mariinsky Palace, where Sipyagin was supposed to be. However, the minister had not yet arrived. Balmashov returned somewhat later and told the doorman that he had some documents from the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. When Sipygan arrived, Balmashov positioned himself behind the minister and shot him several times, leaving him with serious injuries that resulted in his death an hour later.[3]
Investigation, trial, and execution
During his questioning, Balmashov stated that, "the method of combating a terrorist seems to me inhumane and cruel, but it's inevitable with the current regime", and refused to say anything else. A military tribunal sentenced him to death by hanging. Even though various people recommended that he request a pardon, none was given. The execution took place in the fortress of Shlisselburg in May 1902.
References
- ^ Shmidt, O.Yu. (chief editor), Bukharin, N.I. et al (eds) (1926). Большая советская энциклопедиа Volume 4. Moscow. pp. 543–4.
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has generic name (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Nicolaevsky, Boris (1934). Aseff: the Russian Judas. Hurst & Blackett: London. p. 56.
- ^ Peter Kropotkin (1905-01-01). "The Constitutional Movement in Russia". revoltlib.com. The Nineteenth Century.