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Ragim GazievAzerbaijani politician, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan
Date of Birth: 17.02.1943
Country:  Azerbaijan |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Political Activism
- Minister of Defense
- Accusations of Treason
- Imprisonment and Exile
- Extradition and Imprisonment
- Release and Later Life
Early Life and Career
Rahim Gazievwas born in 1943 in Sheki, Azerbaijan. He graduated from the Baku Civil Engineering Institute and earned a PhD in mathematics and physics. From 1968 to 1990, he taught at the same university.
Political Activism
In 1988, Gaziev became a co-founder and one of the first 15 members of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan. He gained prominence for his nationalist views and staunch support of Abulfaz Elchibey. In 1990, he was arrested for organizing anti-Soviet riots, leading to martial law in Baku, but was released shortly after due to his election to the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan.
Minister of Defense
In 1992, Gaziev was appointed Minister of Defense by acting President Yakub Mammadov. Despite having no military experience, he oversaw the Azerbaijan Army's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Under his leadership, Azerbaijan captured parts of the region but lost others to Armenian forces.
Accusations of Treason
In 1993, Gaziev was accused by the Popular Front of betraying the interests of Azerbaijan by surrendering Shusha to Armenian forces. He resigned as Minister of Defense in February 1993.
Imprisonment and Exile
After Heydar Aliyev came to power, Gaziev was arrested in 1993 and charged with treason. He escaped from detention in 1994 and fled to Moscow, where he declared his support for Ayaz Mutallibov. In Azerbaijan, he was sentenced to death in absentia.
Extradition and Imprisonment
In 1996, Russia agreed to extradite Gaziev to Baku, where his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1998.
Release and Later Life
Due to pressure from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Gaziev was pardoned and released in 2005. He authored several articles attempting to rehabilitate his reputation but failed to garner public interest.
