Kamaladdin Heydarov is an Azerbaijani oligarch.[665] [517] [553] Since 2006, he has headed Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), a powerful ministry that has been described by reporters as “FEMA on amphetamines.”[553] [974] MES has a paramilitary unit, runs the fire and ambulance services, and issues permits for mining and construction, two of the major avenues for corruption in the country.[553] [974] As a result, Heydarov’s ministry has been called “the ministry of everything significant.”[553]
He has two sons, Tale and Nijat Heydarov, who are business partners of Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, serving as co-directors and shareholders with them in several commercial ventures.[665] The Heydarov sons are among the owners of Gilan Holdings,[665] [517] one of Azerbaijan’s largest conglomerates, second in size only to the Aliyev family’s PASHA Holding.[665] [517]
The Heydarov family relies on a network of enablers and front men to manage its wealth. In 2012, the family signed a contract with Paddington Partners Ltd, handing over the management of their business interests to the now defunct Guernsey registered company,[11] which was run by Robert John Baker and Thamer Aidi.[15]
The Heydarovs are also closely linked to Azerbaijani-Iranian businessman Manouchehr Ahadpour Khanghah, who was described by US diplomats as being their “front man” in business dealings.[553] Kamaladdin Heydarov has been a manager of MIRK General Trading,[133] Khanghah’s Dubai-registered real estate company that is closely connected to scores of luxury properties in Dubai owned by the Heydarov brothers and Aliyeva sisters.[341]
Kamaladdin Heydarov did not respond to The Sentry’s request for comment.
