Azad Arif oglu Rahimov (Azerbaijani: Azad Arif oğlu Rəhimov, October 8, 1964 – April 30, 2021[2]) was an Azerbaijani politician who served as the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic.[3]

Azad Rahimov
Azad Rəhimov
Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic
In office
February 7, 2006 – April 30, 2021
PresidentIlham Aliyev
Preceded byoffice established
Succeeded byFarid Gayibov
Personal details
Born(1964-10-08)October 8, 1964
Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
DiedApril 30, 2021(2021-04-30) (aged 56)
New York, United States[1]

Early life and business affairs

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Rahimov was born into the family of a housekeeper on October 8, 1964, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He graduated in 1981 from Baku's school No. 134 and in 1986 from the Azerbaijan University of Languages with a degree in the English language. In 1984, he started working as the chairman of Komsomol at school No. 245 of Baku's Khatai raion. From June 1986 through November 1987, he served in the Soviet Army and was stationed in Moscow. In 1987–1989, Rahimov worked in Khatai rayon committee and in 1989–1990 he was the chairman of Azerbaijan Youth Organization Committee. In 1994–1998, he worked as the executive director of Ros-IMESKO company. From 1998 until February 7, 2006, Rahimov was the executive director of Italdesign,[4] a company whose subsidiary SerbAz has been implicated in an infamous case of worker mistreatment.[5]

He was married to Zulfiya Rahimova[6] with who he had one child.[4] During his time as Minister of Youth and Sports, an offshore company that appeared to be owned by his wife used forced labor from the Balkans to work on marquee sports buildings.[7][8]

Political career

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With the re-establishment of Youth and Sports as a separate ministry, Rahimov was appointed the minister. He also became vice-chairman of the National Olympic Committee.

Death

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He died on 30 April in New York, where he had been seeking treatment for lung cancer and liver cirrhosis.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov dies of cancer at age of 56". www.insidethegames.biz. April 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Azad Rəhimovun oğlu ictimaiyyətdən pandemiya səbəbindən dəfn mərasiminə gəlməməyi xahiş edib". Apa.az.
  3. ^ "Azeri Minister Criticizes RFE/RL Over Eurovision Story". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 5 September 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Azərbaycan Respublikasının Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi. Nazir haqqında" [The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan. About the Minister]. Archived from the original on 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  5. ^ "Slaves to Progress: The Minister". www.meydan.tv. May 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Bloss, Miranda Patrucic, Ilya Lozovsky, Madina Mammadova, and Kelly. "The Minister". OCCRP.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Slaves to Progress". OCCRP. 2020.
  8. ^ "The Minister". OCCRP. 2020.
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