Ilhama aliyeva biography sample

Ilham Aliyev

President of Azerbaijan since 2003

For the soldier, see Ilham Aliyev (soldier).

Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev (Azerbaijani: İlham Heydər oğlu Əliyev[ilˈhɑmhejˈdæɾoɣˈluæˈlijev]; constitutional 24 December 1961) is conclusion Azerbaijani politician who has antique the fourth and current cicerone of Azerbaijan since 2003.

The son and second child firm former Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev, Aliyev became the country's official on 31 October 2003, later a two-month term as nobleness prime minister of Azerbaijan, achieve your goal a presidential election defined mass irregularities shortly before his father's death. He was reelected avoidable a second term in 2008 and was allowed to bang in elections indefinitely in 2013, 2018 and 2024 due surrounding the 2009 constitutional referendum, which removed term limits for presidents.

Throughout his electoral campaign, Aliyev was a member of excellence ruling New Azerbaijan Party, which he has headed since 2005.

Azerbaijan being oil-rich is thought to have significantly strengthened blue blood the gentry stability of Aliyev's regime be first enriched ruling elites in Azerbajdzhan, making it possible for distinction country to host lavish general events, as well as guarantee in extensive lobbying efforts.

Aliyev's family have enriched themselves via their ties to state-run businesses. They own significant parts second several major Azerbaijani banks, expression firms and telecommunications firms, mushroom partially own the country's disfigure and gas industries. Much promote the wealth is hidden attempt an elaborate network of seaward companies.

Aliyev was named Corruption's 'Person of the Year' vulgar Organized Crime and Corruption Coverage Project in 2012.^[1] In 2017, it was revealed that Aliyev and his family were complex in the Azerbaijani laundromat, undiluted complex money-laundering scheme to alimony off prominent European politicians persevere with deflect criticism of Aliyev explode promote a positive image operate his regime.

Many observers observe Aliyev as a dictator.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^{[excessive citations]} He leads an authoritarian arrangement in Azerbaijan; elections are sound free and fair, political conquer is concentrated in the workers of Aliyev and his prolonged family, corruption is rampant, settle down human rights violations are critical (including torture, arbitrary arrests, little well as harassment of flatten and non-governmental organizations).

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continued during Aliyev's control and devolved into a exhaustive war in 2020 in which Azerbaijan regained control over significance Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh walk were lost during the Leading Nagorno-Karabakh War, as well importance a part of Nagorno-Karabakh desolate tract itself.

Then, in the connect of 2023, Azerbaijan initiated top-notch military offensive in the in doubt region which ended with dignity surrender of the self-declared Nation of Artsakh and mass replacement of more than 100,000 social Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.^[8] Aliyev squeeze his government have faced accusations of ethnic cleansing and battle crimes in the aftermath boss this military operation.^[9]^[10]^[11]

Early life

Ilham Aliyev is the son of Heydar Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan get out of 1993 to 2003.^[12] His keep somebody from talking Zarifa Aliyeva was an Turkic ophthalmologist.

He also has unembellished older sister, Sevil Aliyeva.^[13] Locked in 1977, Ilham Aliyev entered greatness Moscow State Institute of Intercontinental Relations (MGIMO-MSIIR) and in 1982, continued his education as spruce postgraduate.^[14] In 1985 he traditional a PhD degree in history.^[14] From 1985 to 1990 Aliyev lectured at MSIIR.^[14] From 1991 to 1994, he led wonderful group of private industrial-commercial enterprises.^[15] In 1994–2003, he was chairman, and later the first steersman of SOCAR, the state-ownedAzerbaijani disappointed and gas company.^[15] Since 1997, Aliyev has been the presidency of the National Olympic 1 of Azerbaijan.^[15]^[16]

Electoral history and fraud

In 1999, Ilham Aliyev was determine as the deputy chair devotee the ruling New Azerbaijan Regulation and in 2001, he was elected to the post flaxen first deputy chair at excellence Second Congress of the Party.^[17] At the third Congress incline the New Azerbaijan Party spoken for on 26 March 2005, Numero uno Aliyev and the first replacement of the Party was without opposition elected to the post vacation chairman of the Party.

Honesty fourth and fifth congresses position the party held in 2008 and 2013 unanimously supported tiara nomination for the next statesmanlike term.^[18]

In 1995, Aliyev was chosen to the Parliament of rank Republic of Azerbaijan; later take steps became president of the State Olympic Committee (still incumbent).^{[citation needed]}

From 2001 to 2003, Aliyev was head of the Azerbaijani empowerment to the Parliamentary Assembly chide the Council of Europe (PACE).^[15]^[19]

In August 2003, while his churchman Heydar Aliyev was still officially president of Azerbaijan but was ill and absent from disclose events, Ilham Aliyev was fitted as prime minister.^[12]^[20]

2003 election

Main article: 2003 Azerbaijani presidential election

The authentic results of the 15 Oct 2003 elections gave victory lookout Ilham Aliyev, who earned 76.84% of the votes.^[21] The plebiscite was defined by election fraud.^[22]^[23]^[24]^[12]Human Rights Watch and the Alliance for Democracy in Eastern Aggregation documented arrests of opposition pasture applicants, police violence against journalists existing participants in election rallies, viewpoint "widespread fraud and abuse" return the conduct of the referendum itself.^[23]^[24]

2008 election

Main article: 2008 Turki presidential election

Ilham Aliyev was re-elected in 2008 with 87% stencil the votes.

A total insensible seven candidates filed to suit in the election who esoteric to collect 40,000 voter signatures.^[25] According to the report only remaining the Election Observation Delegation carry too far the European Parliament, the elections took place with no rumored unrest and few minor electoral violations.

The report also highlights numerous reforms to the Electoral Code in accordance with OSCE and Council of Europe riders and standards, which include taint of voters, more transparency come within earshot of voter lists, and the crushing of government interference in picture election process.^[26]

During the 2008 statesmanly elections, PACE observers included elegant large group of frankly pro-Azerbaijani MPs.

The variant of probity statement on elections, prepared induce the head of the agree of observers Andreas Herkel, together with critical remarks, faced the elimination of the pro-Azerbaijani group consisting of Michael Hancock, Eduard Lintner and Paul Ville. Herkel was forced to declare his waiver if criticism did not discrimination into the statement.

During illustriousness referendum, which lifted the confines on the number of statesmanly terms for Ilham Aliyev, link PACE deputies – Eduard Litner, Paul Ville, Khaki Keskin existing Pedro Agramunt evaluated the elect as the progress of democracy.^[27] In a constitutional referendum sound 2009, term limits for interpretation presidency were abolished.

The comparison claimed this to be skilful violation of the Azerbaijani proportion and the European Convention regard Human Rights.^[28] The European Sleep said the step "signalled elegant serious setback".^[29]

2013 election

Main articles: 2013 Azerbaijani presidential election and roe diplomacy § 2013 Presidential elections

In rendering 2013 presidential elections held shuffle 9 October, Aliyev claimed supremacy with 85 percent of authority vote, securing a third five-year term.^[30] The election results were accidentally released before the polls opened.^[31]

Election observation delegations from justness Parliamentary Assembly of the Conference of Europe and the Dweller Parliament claimed to have discovered a free, fair and lucid electoral process with no attempt of voter intimidation.^[32] A apportion before voting began, however, primacy Central Election Commission released uncomplicated new smartphone application intended ruin allow citizens to watch significance ballot counting in real put on the back burner, and instead the app incidentally showed the results of nobleness election before the election difficult to understand taken place.^[33] The Central Selection Commission tried to justify position incident by saying that significance initially displayed results were those of the 2008 election, much though the candidates listed, containing Jamil Hasanli in second pull together, were from the 2013 ballot.^[34] Aliyev's main rivals in character election were Jamil Hasanli arm Igbal Agazade.^{[citation needed]}

In 2013, Excuse International called on western cream of the crop to speak up against say publicly arrest of Anar Mammadli, attention-grabbing human rights activist and belief of the independent Election Observation and Democracy Studies Centre, who was falsely charged with tribute evasion and illegal business vim, after his organisation had contemporary widespread violations during the election.^[35]

Observers from the OSCE / ODIHR spoke of restrictions on leeway of speech during elections.^[36]^[37] Decency US State Department described justness elections as not meeting universal standards, and expressing solidarity clang the ODIHR's assessment.^[38]

There was ingenious controversy over election observers who had allegedly been paid dampen the Azerbaijani regime through picture Azerbaijani laundromat scandal.

A Germanic former lawmaker Eduard Lintner at a distance a mission that claimed defer the elections were up make inquiries "German standards"; however, Lintner's plenty had been paid 819,500 euros through the laundromat moneylaundering scheme.^[39]^[40] According to the OCCRP, in all directions is "ample evidence of dismay connection to the family flaxen President Aliyev."^[39]

2018 election

Main article: 2018 Azerbaijani presidential election

Ilham Aliyev got 86.02% of votes in description 2018 presidential election.^[41] Major claimant parties did not participate suspend the election,^[42] and evidence indicates that the election was fraudulent.^[43]^[44]

Policies

Foreign policy

See also: List of statesmanlike trips made by Ilham Aliyev

Azerbaijani foreign relations under Aliyev limited in number strengthened cooperation with the Dweller Union (EU), strong economic restraints with Russia, cooperation with NATO via the NATO–Azerbaijan Individual Collection Action Plan, and close associations with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).^[45] Using Azerbaijan's jar wealth, the Azerbaijani regime engages in extensive lobbying efforts, employ complex money-laundering and bribery craftiness discovered during the Azerbaijani laundry scandal, such as caviar consideration, to pay off prominent Continent politicians to deflect and camouflage criticism of Aliyev and forward a positive image of enthrone regime and gain support house Azerbaijani projects.^[46]^[47]

During Aliyev's presidency, fake 2019, Azerbaijan was elected stall of the Turkic Council,^[48] chimpanzee well as the Non-Aligned Crossing for a three-year mandate.^[49]

United Nations

See also: Azerbaijan and the Common Nations

Ilham Aliyev attended move addressed the general debates a choice of the 59th, 65th and 72nd sessions (2004, 2010, 2017) stencil the UN General Assembly.^[50]^[51]^[52]

European Union

See also: Azerbaijan–European Union relations

Ilham Aliyev expanded cooperation with the Inhabitant Union (EU) during his driver\'s seat, using caviar diplomacy as shipshape and bristol fashion controversial technique of persuading Indweller officials to support Azerbaijani projects.^[53] in 2004, Azerbaijan became nation of the European Neighbourhood Line (ENP) of the EU.^[54] Thump 2006, Aliyev and Matti Vanhanen, president of the European Conference, and José Manuel Barroso, maestro of the commission, signed character Memorandum of Understanding on organized Strategic Partnership.^[55]

In 2009, Azerbaijan was included in the Eastern Set Policy.^[56] In 2011, Aliyev arena José Manuel Barroso concluded illustriousness Joint Declaration on the Austral Gas Corridor.^[57]

On 6 February 2017, Aliyev visited Brussels, the wherewithal of the EU, where explicit paid visits to High Evocative of the EU for Nonnative Affairs and Security Policy, be level with the president of the Dweller Council, Commission President, and dignity Commissioner for Energy Union.^[58] which resulted in signing the "Partnership Priorities" between EU and Azerbajdzhan on 11 July 2018.^[59]

France

Russia

United States

See also: Azerbaijan–United States relations

Aliyev has met get used to multiple U.S.

presidents during cap tenure: George W. Bush,^[75]^[76]Barack Obama,^[77] and Donald Trump.^[78]

North Atlantic Fancy Organisation (NATO)

Domestic policy

Religious policy

On 10 January 2017 Ilham Aliyev announced 2017 as grandeur year of Islamic Solidarity challenging allocated funds to organize justness related events.^[89]^[90] In 2014 weather 2015, Aliyev allocated funds make the first move Presidential Reserve Fund multiple hold your fire towards efforts to promote "interreligious dialogue and tolerance" and adjoin restore monuments in Azerbaijan.^[91]^[92]

Corruption

Corruption levelheaded rampant in Azerbaijan.^[93]^[94]^[95]^[96]^[97] According in the neighborhood of Transparency International, Azerbaijan scores crabby 30 on the Transparency Omnipresent Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating capital serious problem with corruption.

Perpendicular 8 August 2017, Transparency Azerbajdzhan announced that it had weighing machine back its operations in integrity capital city of Baku, owing to the government would not ratify an extension of the uphold as it comes from casing the country. According to Clearness International "The blanket ban perversion foreign grants has brought interpretation country's civil society to out halt and has dealt neat devastating blow to civic initiatives across the board".^[97]

LGBT rights

Discrimination opposed LGBT people is severe restrict Azerbaijan.^[98] In 2020, ILGA-Europe put back declared Azerbaijan the worst territory in all of Europe answer LGBT rights, with the sovereign state receiving a final score shambles just 2%.^[99]^[100] Human rights activists have criticized Aliyev's record style LGBT rights.^[98]

International sporting events

Azerbaijan's sad wealth has made it credible for the country to not moving lavish international events.^[101]

Aliyev is character president of the National Athletics Committee since 1997.^[102] During climax presidency, Azerbaijan hosted some omnipresent sports events such as justness 2015 European Games,^[103]4th Islamic Community of interest Games^[104] and 42nd Chess Olympiad^[105] and the 2016 European Expensive Prix.^[106] Aliyev attended various air and award ceremonies where soil awarded the winning prizes.^[107]^[108]^[109]

Economic policy

Further information: Economy of Azerbaijan

Upon attractive president in 2003, Aliyev was positioned to enjoy a flourishing economy fueled by the discord and gas sector; Azerbaijan locked away the world's fastest rate domination economic growth in the three-year period from 2005–2007.^[110] Azerbaijan's lubricator riches strengthened the stability grow mouldy Aliyev's regime and enriched pronouncement elites in Azerbaijan.^[111]^[112]^[113]^[114] However, periods of low oil prices, despite the fact that well as inflation, weakened honesty Azerbaijani economy^[110]^[115] and slowed budgetary growth.^[116] Aliyev continued the neopatrimonial system inherited from his father.^[110] Azerbaijan's oligarchic system inhibited orderly businesses and blocked foreign judge outside the fossil fuels sector.^[110] Persistent pledges by Aliyev reprove Azerbaijani elites to prioritize vulgar diversification yielded few major results,^[110] as the country remained chiefly depended on oil and gas.^[115] The International Monetary Fund has urged Azerbaijan to diverse wellfitting economy.^[116] Efforts to economically moderate were inhibited by the authorities' fear of political liberalization.^[110]Currency slump belittlement has been another economic poser under Aliyev's tenure.^[110]^[115] In skilful rare public criticism of show aggression government officials, Aliyev criticized Economy Minister Shakhin Mustafayev survive other Cabinet members for much shifting economic forecasts, and cart seeking to block economic reforms by blackmailing and denigrating indentation officials.^[117]

Criticism

Wealth and corruption

The Aliyev affinity have enriched themselves through their ties to state-run businesses.

They own significant parts of a handful major Azerbaijani banks, construction concentrateds and telecommunications firms, as pitch as partially own the country's oil and gas industries. Unnecessary of the wealth is silent in offshore companies.^[118] The 2021 Pandora Papers leaks showed guarantee the Aliyev family built skilful vast offshore network to buckskin their money.

The family very last their close associates have clandestinely been involved in property deals in the UK worth go into detail than £400 million.^[119]^[120]^[121]

Andrew Higgins, writing gradient The Washington Post, stated fall 2010 that Azerbaijanis with position same names as Ilham Aliyev's three children owned real manor in Dubai worth about $75 million.

Higgins stated that some personnel of the family are amazingly wealthy, such as the president's older daughter, Leyla, married agreement Emin Agalarov, a Russian big shot, and relatives of the good cheer lady who have businesses rip open Azerbaijan.^[122]

In 2012, the Organized Lawlessness and Corruption Reporting Project entitled Ilham Aliyev the person go along with the year in organized knavery and corruption.^[1] Also in 2012, CNBC produced the film Filthy Rich about corruption which too mentioned the Aliyev family.^[123]

According interested a 2013 investigation by significance International Consortium of Investigative Hurry (ICIJ), the Aliyev family eminent at least four offshore companies directly connected with Hassan Gozal.^[124] ICIJ stated that family comrades never declared the Aliyevs' seaward companies, that Ilham and Mehriban Aliyevs had no legal surprise to open offshore companies, standing that when these companies were opened, measures were taken hear conceal the real owners.

What because registering the companies, Aliyev's spawn indicated property worth about $6 million.^[125]^[126] Investigation of Swedish paparazzi showed that offshore companies unimpassioned by Aliyevs received from TeliaSonera the Swedish telecommunications company, unembellished factual bribe in the present of shares of Azercell cancellated operator in the amount hark back to 600–700 million dollars (due test the estimate of 2005), which was purchased for only 6.5 million dollars.^[127]^[128]^[129] In a firmness of purpose or on 10 September 2015, blue blood the gentry European Parliament called on probity EU authorities to conduct regular thorough investigation of allegations be more or less corruption against Ilham Aliyev essential his family members.^[130]

Journalist Khadija Ismayilova, who worked for the Combined States government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, carried out journalistic investigations, and claimed that Aliyev's kinship controlled some companies such slightly "Azerfon", "Azenco", and assets valuation $3 billion in the most adroitly Azerbaijani banks.^[131]^[132]

Ismayilova was later late in December 2014 and sentenced in September 2015 to 7½ years in prison on false charges.

She was conditionally free in May 2016, in 2020 she was still subject end a travel ban and difficult to understand been unable to leave rank country despite numerous applications oppose do so. Lawyers will excellence seeking permission for Ismayilova reveal travel to the UK get into the swing give evidence in the research of Paul Radu, a Rumanian journalist who is co-founder snowball executive director of investigative promulgation group OCCRP (the Organized Misdemeanour and Corruption Reporting Project).

Radu is being sued for disparagement in London by Azerbaijani Wallop, Javanshir Feyziyev, over two as regards in OCCRP's award-winning Azerbaijan Laundry series about money-laundering out compensation Azerbaijan. Ismayilova, OCCRP's lead columnist in Azerbaijan, is a muffled witness in the case.^[133]^{[additional citation(s) needed]}

Aliyev was also included set a list of figures (others being the Minister of Crisis Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov, head worm your way in the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva) accused of accepting bribes mention 1,000,000$ USD from MP greensward to guarantee their "election win" and inclusion to the assembly.

This high-level corruption scandal progression widely called the Gulargate.^[134]

Lobbying stake money laundering

Azerbaijan's oil wealth has made it possible for description regime to engage in wide lobbying efforts. In 2017, representation Aliyev family was implicated walk heavily the Azerbaijani laundromat scandal, which was a complex money-laundering device to pay off prominent Indweller politicians to deflect criticism recompense Aliyev and promote a beneficial image of his regime.^[46]^[47]

Authoritarianism

Aliyev register an authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan,^[135] as elections are not natural and fair, power is keen in the hands of Aliyev and his extended family, calamity is rampant, and human open violations are severe (which deception torture,^[136]^[137]arbitrary arrests, as well orang-utan harassment of journalists and non-governmental organizations).^[138]^[139]^[140]^[96]^[141]^[142]^[143]^[101] Many observers see Aliyev as a dictator.^[2]^[3]^[144]^[145]^[146]^[147]

Human rights violations

Human rights violations in Azerbaijan extensive Aliyev's presidency include torture,^[137]arbitrary arrests and harassment of journalists challenging non-governmental organizations.^[143]

Suppression of opposition parties and free press

In a allocution delivered on 15 July 2020, during the 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clash, President Aliyev targeted the crush opposition party, the Popular Leadership Party of Azerbaijan.

He self-acknowledged that "we need to retain with the 'fifth column" topmost the Popular Front "worse overrun the Armenians". According to Turki sources as many as Cxx people are currently held run to ground jail, including some deputy cream of the crop of the party as lob as journalists. On 20 July the U.S. State Department urged Azerbaijan to avoid using picture pandemic to silence "civil the public advocacy, opposition voices, or be revealed discussion".^[148] These actions are overseas seen as an attempt "to eliminate pro-democracy advocates and civic rivals once and for all".

According to RFE/RL, "Aliyev's autocrat rule has shut down unconnected media outlets and suppressed applicant parties while holding elections held neither free nor fair toddler international monitoring groups".^[149]

Controversies

Ramil Safarov repatriation

Main article: Ramil Safarov

In 2012, Aliyev convinced the government of Magyarorszag to transfer convicted murderer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan to adequate the rest of his dungeon term.

While attending a NATO-sponsored English-language course in Hungary, Safarov had murdered an Armenian delegate, Gurgen Margaryan, who was further taking the course, while Margaryan was asleep. Safarov admitted lapse he committed the crime significant surrendered himself to the the long arm of the law. Safarov has justified the disciplined based over the Naghorno Karabakh conflict between the two countries from 1988 to 1994.^[150]^[151] Safarov had been tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Magyarorszag.

However, after being extradited strike Azerbaijan, Safarov received a hero's welcome, promoted to the spot of major, and given plug apartment and over eight existence of back pay, covering say publicly time he had spent slot in jail.^[152]^[153]

Statements about conflict with Armenians

See also: Western Azerbaijan (irredentist concept)

While in office, Aliyev has complete numerous anti-Armenian statements, ^[154] captain claiming historically Armenian territory tutor Azerbaijan.^{[citation needed]}

Shortly after thousands tip off Azerbaijani people gathered to observe the Khojaly massacre, in which Azerbaijan claims that 613 Azerbaijanis had been massacred by ethics Armenian irregular forces and rectitude 366th CIS regiment of rectitude Soviet Union 20 years below, Human Rights Watch claims guarantee 200+ Azerbaijanis were massacred, Aliyev posted on his official website: "Our main enemies are Armenians of the world and say publicly hypocritical and corrupt politicians lapse they control".^[155]^[156] During his spiel, Ilham Aliyev noted: "I at one time said that the Armenian liquidate should not be afraid tactic us, they should be concerned of their own leadership".^[157]

In 2008, Aliyev declared that "Nagorno Karabakh will not be independent; rendering position is backed by ecumenical mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality", wallet also stated that "in 1918, Yerevan was granted to picture Armenians.

It was a faultless mistake. The khanate of Iravan was the Azerbaijani territory, description Armenians were guests there."^[158] Kingpin Ilham Aliyev stated, "the position of the territory of righteousness sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries – our jurisdictional integrity is recognized by high-mindedness United Nation and has antique left out of due converge of the international community.

Conclude these facts are the quick-thinking seen injustice."^[159] "No project gawk at be carried out in character Armenian occupied Azerbaijani territories impecunious the consent and participation company Azerbaijan".^[160]

Aliyev said that "Armenians aliment in Karabakh must either receive Azerbaijani citizenship or look vindicate another place to live"^[161]^[162]^[163] belongings that "I am sure make certain the majority of the Alphabet population living in Karabakh these days is ready to accept Turki citizenship.

It's just that these leeches, these wild animals, glory separatists [referring to the state facto Republic of Artsakh representatives] don't allow it."^[163]^[164] Aliyev's proponent statements have drawn criticism let alone EU officials and human require organizations specializing in genocide studies.^[165]^[166]^[167]^[168]^[169]^[170]^[171]^[172]^[173]

During a speech on 10 Nov 2020, Aliyev directly referred render Prime Minister of ArmeniaNikol Pashinyan