Slovenian minister honours Azerbaijani hero Mehdi Huseynzade at memorial ceremony PHOTO

On May 7, in the Slovenian town of Šempas, Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia Bojan Kumer took part in a commemorative ceremony and laid a wreath in honour of Azerbaijan's national hero Mehdi Huseynzada, also known by his nom de guerre "Mikhailo."

"Memory of Mikhailo remains a permanent bridge of friendship between Slovenia and Azerbaijan," the minister said, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Ministry's post on Facebook. 

During the ceremony, Minister Kumer highlighted the symbolic significance of Huseynzade’s heroic legacy and emphasised the importance of continued international cooperation.

"These days coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Such anniversaries remind us that the peace we enjoy in Slovenia today is not a given. It was fought for by people like Mehdi. That is why it is our duty to preserve their memory not only in words, but through actions—by strengthening friendship, international cooperation, and mutual respect among nations," the minister stated.

Mehdi Huseynzade (1918–1944) was an Azerbaijani partisan and Soviet intelligence officer who fought against Nazi forces in Yugoslavia and Italy during World War II. Operating under the codename “Mikhailo,” he became renowned for his daring sabotage operations behind enemy lines, including bombings of German military facilities and supply routes.

After months of successful missions, he was killed in combat near the village of Vitovlje in Slovenia. Huseynzade was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1957. His memory is honored in both Azerbaijan and Slovenia as a symbol of courage and international solidarity in the fight against fascism.

By Khagan Isayev