Vagif Guseinov Azerbaijani and Russian public and statesman Date of Birth: 27.11.1942 Country: Azerbaijan

1. Early Life and Career
2. Party and State Career
3. Chairmanship of the KGB of Azerbaijan
4. Retirement and Imprisonment
5. Life in Moscow
6. Return to Public Life

Early Life and Career

Vagif Huseynov was born on November 27, 1942, in Quba, Azerbaijan. He graduated from the journalism faculty of Azerbaijan State University in 1970 and embarked on a career as a journalist. He worked for various publications and television channels, including "Sport," "Youth of Azerbaijan," and "Olympic Panorama." He became a member of the Union of Journalists of the USSR in 1970.

Party and State Career

From 1973 to 1978, Huseynov served as Secretary and then First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan (KP Azerbaijan). From 1978 to 1980, he was Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) for international affairs in Moscow. From 1980 to 1983, he was First Secretary of the Baku City Committee of the KP Azerbaijan.

In 1984, Huseynov became President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. In 1986, he became First Deputy Head of the Administration for Servicing the Diplomatic Corps of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1988, he headed the organizational and party work department of the Central Committee of the KP Azerbaijan. He was a member of the Central Committee of the KP Azerbaijan and a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan for three terms.

Chairmanship of the KGB of Azerbaijan

From August 1989 to September 13, 1991, Huseynov served as Chairman of the State Security Committee of Azerbaijan (KGB Azerbaijan). He was involved in the Soviet military operations in Baku that led to tragic consequences in January 1990.

Retirement and Imprisonment

With the rise of the People's Front of Azerbaijan, Huseynov was arrested. He was accused of assisting the deployment of Soviet troops, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in Baku. He was also charged with organizing the explosion of an energy block at Azerbaijan State Tele-Radio in January 1990. He was released in 1993 after his guilt could not be proven.

Life in Moscow

After his release, Huseynov moved to Moscow and became a Russian citizen. In 1996, the Azerbaijan Prosecutor's Office accused him of murder, forgery, and the explosion on television. Russia refused to extradite him.

Return to Public Life

In 1997, Huseynov co-founded the "Rosbalt" news agency. He served as Chairman of its Board of Directors from 1997 to 1999. He also became a member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy in 1998 and Director of the Institute for Strategic Assessments and Analysis in 2000. He held various other positions in various organizations until his death on June 3, 2024, at the age of 81.