Azad Rahimov
{{Short description|Azerbaijani politician (1964–2021)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Azad Rahimov
Azad Rəhimov
| image =Azad Rahimov, December 2014.jpg
| order =
| title = Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic
| term_start = February 7, 2006
| term_end = April 30, 2021
| predecessor = office established
| successor = Farid Gayibov
| president = Ilham Aliyev
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1964|10|08}}
| birth_place = Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|4|30|1964|10|08}}
| death_place = New York, United States{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1107272/azad-rahimov-dies-at-age-of-56|title=Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov dies of cancer at age of 56|date=April 30, 2021|website=www.insidethegames.biz}}
| religion =
| branch =
| serviceyears =
| rank =
| battles =
}}
Azad Arif oglu Rahimov ({{langx|az|Azad Arif oğlu Rəhimov}}, October 8, 1964 – April 30, 2021{{Cite web|url=https://apa.az/az/sosial/Azad-Rhimovun-oglu-ictimaiyytdn-pandemiya-sbbindn-dfn-mrasimin-glmmyi-xahis-edib-641052|title=Azad Rəhimovun oğlu ictimaiyyətdən pandemiya səbəbindən dəfn mərasiminə gəlməməyi xahiş edib|website=Apa.az}}) was an Azerbaijani politician who served as the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Azerbaijani_Minister_Criticizes_RFERL_Over_Eurovision_Interrogation_Story/1815075.html|title=Azeri Minister Criticizes RFE/RL Over Eurovision Story|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=5 September 2009 }}
Early life and business affairs
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,{{cite web |url=http://www.mys.gov.az/minister/ |title=Azərbaycan Respublikasının Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi. Nazir haqqında |trans-title=The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan. About the Minister |accessdate=2010-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116145423/http://mys.gov.az/minister/ |archive-date=2010-11-16 |url-status=dead }} a company whose subsidiary SerbAz has been implicated in an infamous case of worker mistreatment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.meydan.tv/en/article/slaves-progress-minister/|title=Slaves to Progress: The Minister|date=May 12, 2020|website=www.meydan.tv}}
He was married to Zulfiya Rahimova{{Cite web|url=https://www.occrp.org/en/slaves-to-progress/the-minister|title=The Minister|first=Miranda Patrucic, Ilya Lozovsky, Madina Mammadova, and Kelly|last=Bloss|website=OCCRP}} with who he had one child. 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.{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Slaves to Progress |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/slaves-to-progress/ |website=OCCRP |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=The Minister |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/slaves-to-progress/the-minister |website=OCCRP |language=en}}
Political career
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
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahimov, Azad}}
Category:Government ministers of Azerbaijan
Category:Politicians from Baku
Category:Burials at II Alley of Honor
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