THE SOLUN ASSASSINS - Part 02

Kirkov was stopped by the guard at the entrance of the post office. The guard was obliged to search him in accordance with his orders. Kirkov, understandably, could not allow the guard to search him because he was carrying explosives. Kirkov pulled back a little, took out a bomb from his pocket and tried to light the fuse. But with a quick jump the guard stopped him. Kirkov fulfilled his important task but not the way he wanted. He fell victim to the guard’s bayonet and was instantly killed, unfortunately before he could blow up the post office.

According to another source (K. Tsrnushanov, 172.), Kirkov managed to light the fuse before he was stabbed and the bomb did explode killing two guards. But it seems that the most insanely spirited among the Gemidzhii died “most peacefully”. He was the last to die but apart from the guards and the authorities that knew about this, the city was not informed about the actions and suicides that continued on May 1, 1903. Kirkov’s aim was to inform the city that he died for his homeland and that was why he allowed the Ottoman guards to kill him but the statement he was trying to make was not reported.

There is no dilemma in general as to how Kirkov died. But there is some dilemma as to when he died. New documents have been discovered that put the above mentioned date into question. On May 4, 1903 in her diary, among other things, Sister Pisi wrote: “Today a young man pretending to carry a telegram went to the telegraphic bureau. When he was stopped in the middle of the stairs, he quickly hurled a bomb inside the building. But the guard stationed inside threw the bomb outside. When the bomb exploded it killed a guard and the assassin.” (S. Dimevski, “Nova Makedonija”, January 11, 1961.)

The Greek Consul was a little more specific when he wrote: “On Saturday the ‘bandits’ did not do anything, but the next day (May 3) at noon one of them tried to enter the telegraph station pretending to send a telegram, but he not only refused to allow himself to be searched, he protested. He was immediately killed by the soldiers. On him they found one bomb, two capsules of dynamite and a revolver. There are signs confirming that he was responsible for

damaging the gas carrier. This was the last attempt, but it cannot be argued that there are no other conspirators who would commit similar crimes. Moreover, it is known that the grocer, from whose shop the plot started, as well as another gang leader, have not yet been caught.” (Makedonika, 78-79.)

The Gemidzhii wanted their action to last as long as possible, in order to keep both the Ottomans and the Europeans in a tense situation so that many things could be exposed about Macedonia. That is why the Gemidzhii planned their actions as follows: first day – bomb the ship and the train station; second day – bomb the bank and carry out various attacks on the city; third day – more attacks (Ortse’s death). Those who did not have bombs and decided to stay alive just retreated and hid. It would appear that Kosta Kirkov decided to wait and strike after everyone thought the actions were over and that the perpetrators were liquidated. He wanted to make his own statement with his own bomb. He wanted to create new anxiety and, with his death, remind everyone that they had not seen the last of the Gemidzhii.