Topal Osman
Topal Osman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Feridunzade Osman 1883 |
| Died | April 2, 1923 (aged 39–40) |
| Cause of death | Execution by shooting |
| Years active | 1912-1923 |
| Known for | Militia leader, volunteer army commander, Mustafa Kemal's personal guard, perpetrator of the Greek and Armenian genocides, assassin of Ali Şükrü Bey |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Ottoman Empire, Ankara Government |
| Branch | Kuva-yi Milliye, Turkish Land Forces |
| Years of service | 1912-1923 |
| Rank | Militia lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | 47th Regiment |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Turkish Medal of Independence |
Hacı Topal Osman Ağa (1883 – 2 April 1923) also known as Osman the Lame, was a Turkish officer, a militia leader of the National Forces, a volunteer regiment commander of the Turkish army during the Turkish War of Independence who eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and was a perpetrator of the Armenian and Pontic genocides. Except the Greeks and Armenians, he also terrorised the local Muslim population who opposed him.
He was the commander of Mustafa Kemal's special Bodyguard Regiment. He showed usefulness in the War of Independence, but in 1923, when it was decided that he was the instigator of Trabzon Deputy Ali Şükrü Bey's murder, he was detained. He was captured and injured during clashes with military police, but he was killed by İsmail Hakkı Tekçe.