Plaque of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic founder misnames state

Azerbaijan is discussing a blunder on a new bas-relief of famous Azerbaijani statesman Mammad Emin Rasulzade in the village of Novkhani (halfway between Sumqayit and Baku).

Instead of noting him as one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, he is mentioned as a founder of the Azerbaijan State Republic.

• What Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia did 100 years ago when they became independent republics

• Photo report: Baku celebrates 100th anniversary of the first republic

Many are outraged over the incident. The Novkhani municipality is looking into the incident, but has not made any statements except for the fact that it is aware of the issue.

The bas-relief was installed at the house where Rasulzade was born.

Prior to this, there was another bas-relief which was put-up in the early 1990s. However, it was stolen on 15 January, cut up and sold for scrap metal. The perpetrator, a local resident, was soon arrested.