Bedros Kapamajian (Armenian: Պետրոս Քափամաճեան, Turkish : Bedros Kapamacıyan) (1840 – 1912 in Van), was an Armenian citizen of the Ottoman Empire, a textile importer, member of the Van Executive Council, and mayor of the town of Van.

Life

Kapamajian was appointed the mayor of Van on February 2, 1908. However, some sources put the date of his first election as mayor in 1909. He was elected twice on the strength of both Muslim and non-Muslim votes because of his successful efforts improving the local economy (including the first regular municipal boat service in Lake Van). He was strongly supported by the merchant class of Van, who were mostly Armenian. He worked closely with the central government and the governor to enact local reforms. This put him in conflict with the Dashnaks, who have been agitating against the Ottoman state throughout Eastern provinces. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (a.k.a. ARF) accused Kapamajian of being a puppet of the Ottoman Government. According to some sources, including Turkish ones, Kapamajian was executed on the evening of December 10, 1912, with two gunshot wounds in the head as he was leaving his home with his wife and daughter to visit his son-in-law. A quick investigation identified the murderer as a jeweler named Karakin and his associates. Later Karakin, Potur and Sarac Otep were apprehended in the village of Karagündüz. A few more Dashnak members were also arrested in the aftermath. ARF leader Aram Manukian and his ARF fellows were identified as the planners and instigators. In his book, Kapriel Serope Papazian said that Bedros was "'a wealthy and ambitious man had antagonized Ishkan shot and killed one winter nigh in 1912 while entering his carriage with his wife and daughter'"Many people attended Mayor Kapamajian's funeral, including foreign consuls, Van Armenians, and residents of Van who weren't Armenian. He was buried in the Armenian cemetery in the Bağlar district. After Kapamajian's assassination, all opposition to Dashnaks and their policies by Armenians ceased.