Vasif Talibov

Vasif Talibov (also Talybov; Azerbaijani: Talıbov Vasif Yusif oğlu, born 14 January 1960) is the de facto authoritarian ruler of the Nakhichivan Autonomous Republic, an autonomous exclave of Azerbaijan.[1][2][3][4][5] He has ruled Nahkichivan since 1993. The 2022 Suisse secrets leaks revealed that the Talibov family has enriched itself from questionable sources and maintained an elaborate secretive offshore network of wealth.[1]

Vasif Talibov
Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
Assumed office
10 October 1993
Preceded byHeydar Aliyev
Personal details
Born
Talıbov Vasif Yusif oğlu

(1960-01-14) 14 January 1960
Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
Political partyNew Azerbaijan Party
ChildrenRza Talibov
Alma materNakhchivan State University

He the current chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan, the local Head of State. The position of Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhichivan is the equivalent of local President.

Early life and education

Talibov graduated at the faculty of history at Nakhchivan State Pedagogical University (currently Nakhchivan State University) in 1981 and the faculty of law at Baku State University in 1998. He knows Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish and some English.

First, he worked as a teacher in 1981 in the Damirchi village of Sharur Rayon. Starting 1982, he worked as the instructor on personnel and then as the head of the special department in the knitted-goods factory of Nakhchivan.

Career

Talibov arose to power due to his marriage to Sevil Sultanova who was related to the president of Azerbaijan at the time, Heydar Aliyev. [1] Aliyev made Talibov his head assistant in 1990, amid the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Aliyev became president of the newly independent Azerbaijan in 1993.[1] From September 1991 to April 1994 Talibov was chief assistant of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan. From April 1994 to December 1995 he was the first deputy of the Prime Minister of the Nakhchivan AR on foreign economic relations. He supported Aliyev after his return from Moscow to Nakhchivan to seize power and participated in the establishment of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP). He became a member of the Political Council and Presidium of the NAP, Head of Nakhchivan AR Organization of the NAP since April 8, 1995.

On November 12, 1995, on November 5, 2000, on November 6, 2005, and on November 7, 2010 Talibov was elected as deputy of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. on December 16, 1995, on December 7, 2000, on November 28, 2005 and December 3, 2010 he was also elected as Chairman of the Supreme Assembly and Head of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic during the primary sessions respectively.[6]

Personal life

Talibov is married to Sevil Sultanova.[1] They have two sons, Rza Talibov and Seymur Talibov and a daughter, Baharkhanim Talibova. While Vasif Talibov's official salary is $26,000 per year, the 2022 Suisse secrets leaks revealed that the Talibov family has enriched itself from questionable sources and maintained an elaborate secretive offshore network of wealth. Talibovs children have acquired The properties worth an estimated $63 million.[1]

Controversies

Talibov's governorship is controversial both within Nakchivan and abroad. Critics allege that the autonomous Azerbaijani region has fostered a culture of impunity among its security forces, which have been known to use excessive force against opponents of the ruling regime.[7] He is often seen as a member of the ruling oligarchy centered on the Aliyev family and, according to Freedom House, is said to run the region as his "personal fiefdom".[4]

During his rule, thousands of citizens have left the region for work abroad and seeking better conditions of life.[8]

Awards

References
  1. OCCRP. "Sons of Azerbaijani Strongman Vasif Talibov Received Millions From Money Laundering Systems". OCCRP. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  2. Bargarar, Adalet (19 May 2004). "Nakhichevan: Disappointment and Secrecy". Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
  3. "AZERBAIJAN'S DARK ISLAND: Human rights violations in Nakhchivan" (PDF). Norwegian Helsinki Committee. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  4. "Azerbaijan". Freedom House. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  5. Hans-Joachim Hoppe: Nachitschewan – Vorposten Aserbaidschans (Nakhchivan – outpost of Azerbaijan), in "Eurasisches Magazin" (in German), August 2, 2011
  6. "Biography of Vasif Talibov". www.meclis.gov.az. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  7. "Nakhchivan activists attacked". Norwegian Helsinki Committee. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  8. De Waal, Thomas (2003). Black garden : Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and war. New York. p. 271. ISBN 0-8147-1944-9. OCLC 50959080.Thomas de Waal. Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War. New York: New York University Press, pp. 271. ISBN 0-8147-1945-7
  9. Azerbaijani President awards Vasif Talibov with medal of Glory - Azerbaijan Press Agency. Published: 13 January 2010. Accessed: 18 October 2012
  10. "Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding Vasif Talibov with the Order of Honor". Official website of the President of Azerbaijan (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2020-01-14.


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