A brief statement from the presidency said First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva had been appointed First Vice-President at the order of Ilham Aliyev. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning during a meeting of the country's Security Council.



"Mr. President, I express my deep gratitude to you for this high confidence in me," Mehriban Aliyeva was quoted as saying by the Azerbaijan Press Agency. "I believe that I will be able to justify this confidence shown by you, Mr. President, and all the people that believe in me."



Mehriban Aliyeva added: "Over the past years, your ideas of statehood, patriotism, your courageous protection of Azerbaijan’s national interests, and your unity with the people of Azerbaijan, were an example for me and those who work with me, and guided our activities."



The appointment comes just months after voters approved dozens of constitutional amendments, including one that created the position of First Vice-President along with several other vice presidents. The first vice-president can be appointed or dismissed by the president.



Under the constitutional amendment, the first vice-president will become (acting) president if the president is incapacitated. Those duties previously devolved to the prime minister, who is now second in line after the first vice president.



First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who is often described as glamorous and a prominent socialite, has long been rumored to be a likely successor for her husband. She is also the head of the influential Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which was named after her father-in-law and former president.



"The move throws Azerbaijan back to medieval, feudal times. Family rule has no place in the 21st century," opposition leader Isa Gambar of the Musavat party told the AFP news agency, responding to Tuesday's appointment.



The referendum in September also approved a number of other amendments, including one that extends the presidential term from five to seven years. President Ilham Aliyev has ruled the oil-rich Caspian nation since October 2003, when he took over from his father.



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</s>The First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed by her husband to the role of first vice-president.

President Ilham Aliyev announced his wife's appointment at a meeting of the Azerbaijani security council. "Mehriban Aliyeva, for many years, has played an important and active role in the sociopolitical life of the country, our cultural life," he said, quoted in the news agency Trend.

Aliyeva, who was present at the security council meeting, was the only woman sitting at the table. "Mr President, I express my deep gratitude to you for this high confidence in me," she said, quoted in Trend. "I believe that I will be able to justify this confidence shown by you, Mr President, and all the people that believe in me."

The role of first vice-president was created following a constitutional referendum in September and was added to the first lady's already impressive curriculum. Aliyeva also serves as a member of parliament, as UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador and as president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a charity named after her father-in-law and former ruler of the country.

Born in an elite family, Aliyeva's website notes that her mother Aida Imanguliyeva was a professor in Arabic literature, the first female professor in the country. The first lady graduated from a medical university specialising in ophthalmology, and later achieved a doctorate in philosophy in 2005 with a thesis on "Euthanasia and humanism issues in medicine".

Ilham Aliyev became president in 2003, succeeding his father to lead the former Soviet country and was re-elected in 2008 and 2013. The regime's opponents have criticised the September referendum, which also extended the presidential term from five to seven years, as a way for Aliyev to consolidate his power.

The ruling couple married in 1983 and have three children: two daughters Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, and one son, Heydar Aliyev. The Panama Papers leak showed that the family has channelled vast amounts of wealth in offshore companies and funds, as well as having majority stakes in mining projects in the country.

Journalist Khadija Ismayilova, a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists – the group that published the Panama Papers revelations – was arrested in 2015 and sentenced to seven and a half year in jail. She was released in May 2016.</s>President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, as first vice president, the latest move seen as tightening the family’s grip on the oil-rich Caspian nation.

The appointment follows constitutional changes made after a tightly-managed referendum last year that introduced the powerful position of first vice president, the second most senior official in the country.

Born into the powerful Pashayev family, Aliyeva has sometimes been seen as a possible successor to her husband, who took over in 2003 after the death of his father, Heydar, a former KGB officer and Communist-era boss.</s>Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday appointed his glamorous wife as first vice president, the latest move seen as tightening the family's iron grip on the oil-rich Caspian nation.

Mehriban Aliyeva "is appointed the first vice president of the Republic of Azerbaijan," the leader said in a decree published on his website.

Prominent socialite Aliyeva, 52, has been a ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party lawmaker since 2005 and head of the influential Heydar Aliyev Foundation -- named after her father-in-law and former president.

Born into the powerful Pashayev family, she has sometimes been seen as a possible successor to her husband, who took over in 2003 after the death of his father Heydar, a former KGB officer and Communist-era boss.

The appointment follows constitutional changes made after a tightly-managed referendum last year that introduced the powerful position of first vice president. Such steps were denounced by regime opponents as a ploy to cement the Aliyev family's dynastic rule.

"The move throws Azerbaijan back to medieval, feudal times," opposition leader Isa Gambar of Musavat party told AFP.

"Family rule has no place in the 21st century," he added.

Known for her lavish tastes, Aliyeva featured prominently in US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks, one of which dubbed her "a first lady, too, in fashion".

"First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva appears to have had substantial cosmetic surgery, presumably overseas, and wears dresses that would be considered provocative even in the Western world," the leaked 2010 cable said.

An eye doctor by training, she has also authored a dissertation on the ethical aspects of mercy killing.

The Aliyevs have two socialite daughters Leyla, 32, and Arzu, 27, a student son, Heydar, 19, and four grandchildren.

The president, 55, cruised to a third five-year term against limited opposition in 2013, extending his family's rule into a third decade.

Supporters have praised the Aliyevs for turning a republic once considered a Soviet backwater into a flourishing energy supplier to Europe.

But critics argue they have crushed all opposition and used their power to amass a fortune that funds a lavish lifestyle for the president and his family.

Activists have raised concerns over Azerbaijan’s poor rights record, with Human Rights Watch in May blasting the country for a ruthless crackdown that has seen political activists and critical journalists jailed.

"President Ilham Aliyev is the person most responsible for Azerbaijan's appalling human rights record of the last decade," Freedom House, a pro-democracy watchdog, has said.</s>BAKU, Azerbaijan—Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appointed his wife Mehriban Aliyeva as the first Vice-President of the state on February 21.

The president’s order was announced during his meeting with the Security Council, according to Azerbaijan’s presidential press service. The appointment comes about five months after the country’s constitutional referendum, extending the Azerbaijani president’s term from five to seven years, and introducing two vice presidential positions.

Critics of the regime say the September 2016 referendum guarantees a dynastic rule.

The first vice president would take on the role of president the president is unable to perform his or her duties.

Aliyeva, 52, was appointed Member of Parliament in 2008 and is the deputy chairperson of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party. She also heads the Heydar Aliyev Fund, a nongovernmental organization named after her father-in-law, who ruled the newly independent Azerbaijan from 1993 until his death in 2003. Ilham Aliyev succeeded in presidency, who has been widely criticized in the West for the human rights abuses across the country and abroad.

“Embassy monitors, who have attended nearly every session over the past year, have never seen her present in Parliament,” reads a part of a 2010 WikiLeaks document.

According to the leaks, “When she received Members of Congress in 2008, she appeared poorly informed about political issues and could only respond knowledgeably about issues relating to the Heydar Aliyev Fund.”</s>"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s decree on the appointment of famous and influential Azerbaijani political figure Mehriban Aliyeva to the post of the First Vice-President of the country is a very significant event and can be considered as an important landmark not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the whole Muslim world," Director of the Department on Dialogue of civilizations and religions of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Samia Bebars said in an interview with AZERTAC`s correspondent.

According to Bebars, the Azerbaijani President’s decree is an important event also with a global perspective as it demonstrates the fact that woman has been appointed to such a high position in a Muslim country. "This is the right decision with regard to strengthening the role of women in the country, their empowerment and promotion of opportunities for women to hold high positions in government, especially such a responsible position as First Vice President. We congratulate Azerbaijan, its government and the people on the appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva as the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan. This event is a source of pride for all, especially the Muslim community," she said.

Samia Bebars also pointed out that she closely follows vigorous activity of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, which covers various spheres of life. "I am sure that Mehriban Aliyeva in her new position will serve her country, perform her duties densely for the good of their people as she always does," Samia Bebars emphasized.</s>Deputy Chair of the Agricultural Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament Eldar Guliyev will be participating in meetings of the Permanent Commission and working group on the regulations of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Turkey on February 21-23.

Azerbaijani MPs Adil Aliyev and Nagif Hamzayev will attend events dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Khojaly genocide in Azerbaijani Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan on February 21-23.

They will provide an insight into the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, its current state, occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia and the Khojaly genocide.

On the sidelines of the events, “Towards the world free from genocides” exhibition reflecting the Khojaly genocide will take place.

Azerbaijani MPs to participate in events in Turkey and Kazakhstan</s>Move follows constitutional changes made after a tightly-managed referendum last year that introduced vice presidency.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife as first vice president, the latest move seen as tightening the family's grip on the oil-rich Caspian nation.

Tuesday’s appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva follows constitutional changes made after a tightly-managed referendum last year that introduced the powerful position of first vice president, the second most senior official in the country.

Aliyeva, 52, has been an MP for the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party since 2005 and head of the influential Heydar Aliyev Foundation - named after her father-in-law and former president.

Born into the powerful Pashayev family, Aliyeva has sometimes been seen as a possible successor to her husband, who took over in 2003 after the death of his father Heydar, a former KGB officer and Communist-era boss.

Azerbaijan's embattled opposition angrily criticised Aliyeva's elevation as undemocratic and called it a ploy to cement the Aliyev family's dynastic rule.

"The move throws Azerbaijan back to medieval, feudal times," opposition leader Isa Gambar of Musavat party told the AFP news agency .

"Family rule has no place in the 21st century," he added.

The president, 55, cruised to a third five-year term against limited opposition in 2013, extending his family's rule into a third decade.

Supporters have praised the Aliyevs for turning a republic once considered a Soviet backwater into a flourishing energy supplier to Europe.

But critics argue they have crushed all opposition and used their power to amass a fortune for the president and his family.

Activists have raised concerns over Azerbaijan's poor rights record, with Human Rights Watch in May blasting the country for a ruthless crackdown that has seen political activists and critical journalists jailed.

Known for her love of luxury, Aliyeva featured prominently in US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks, one of which dubbed her "a first lady, too, in fashion".

"First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva appears to have had substantial cosmetic surgery, presumably overseas, and wears dresses that would be considered provocative even in the Western world," the leaked 2010 cable said.

An eye doctor by training, she has also authored a dissertation on the ethical aspects of mercy killing.

In 2004, she was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations culture agency, UNESCO.</s>Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife as first vice president, putting her first in line to take over if the president dies or is incapacitated.

Aliyev's order naming Mehriban Aliyeva to the newly created No. 2 post was published on the presidential website on February 21.

Aliyeva, 52, is a deputy chairwoman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party. She is also the head of the Heidar Aliyev Foundation -- a large nongovernmental organization named after her husband's father, who ruled newly independent Azerbaijan with an iron fist from 1993 until 2003. He died in December 2003, two months after steering his son into the presidency of the Caspian Sea country.

Ilham Aliyev, 55, has been accused by right groups and Western governments of persecuting opposition politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, and of enhancing his power though elections and referendums that have not been deemed free or fair by international observers. He also faces allegations of nepotism and corruption within his family.

The positions of first vice president and two lower-tier vice presidents were among the constitutional amendments approved in a referendum in tightly controlled Azerbaijan in September 2016.

The referendum was challenged by opposition politicians and activists who argued that it tightened Aliyev's grip on power in the oil-rich former Soviet republic of 9.9 million.

Government critics said Aliyeva's appointment was illegal. Several opposition activists have been detained in recent weeks, and in some cases sentenced to jail terms of up to a month, in what opponents of Aliyev said they believed was an effort to ensure there were no street protests over the move.

Aliyev -- whose country is a source of energy supplies to Europe, which is seeking to decrease reliance on Russia -- has shrugged off the accusations of human rights abuses, corruption, and nepotism.

"Aliyeva has been playing an important role in social, political, cultural and international activities for many years," the president said, presenting his wife and new appointee at a session of his Security Council on February 21.

"In general, her multifaceted activities have been successful. I have taken into account exactly these factors when making the decision to appoint her to the post of the first vice president of Azerbaijan," Aliyev said.

The constitution now stipulates that if the president becomes incapable of discharging his duties, the first vice president takes over. Before the referendum, it was the prime minister.

The referendum also extended the length of presidential terms from five years to seven years and scrapped an age requirement for candidates, sparking speculation that Aliyev was grooming his son, Heidar, who was 19 years old at the time, to eventually become president.

Azerbaijani lawyer Akif Qurbanov said on Facebook that Aliyeva's appointment was not legal, citing what he said was existing anticorruption legislation barring an official's close relatives from holding office under his or her direct subordination.

Two activists of the opposition Popular Front were detained on February 20 and sentenced to 30 days of administrative arrest, party official Gozal Bayramnli told RFE/RL, and a third activist received the same sentence on the same day.

According to Mehman Aliyev, director of the Turan news agency, at least 10 people have been detained this month and sentenced to up to 30 days of administrative arrest.

Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist with RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, said on February 21 that the arrests were carried out to thwart government opponents who might "dare to protest" Aliyeva's appointment.

Ismayilova spent 17 months in prison in 2015-16 over financial-crimes charges that she and supporters say were government retaliation for her extensive reporting on alleged corruption involving Aliyev and his relatives.

In 2002 and 2009, Azerbaijan also held much-criticized constitutional referendums that opposition activists and rights defenders said directly benefited the Aliyev family.

After the 2002 referendum, future referendums required a turnout of just 50 percent to be valid. It also designated the prime minister, instead of the parliament speaker, as the presidential successor.

The 2009 referendum removed the two-term limit of the president and introduced a clause on "the right of personal immunity," which activists and journalists interpreted as a move to prevent reporters from investigating corruption or covering public events.</s>“I will hold interests of our country and people above all. I will try to serve Azerbaijan decently,” said first Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva at a meeting of the Security Council under the chairmanship of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Thanking the Azerbaijani President for high confidence, the first Vice-President said: “I fully realize seriousness of the responsibility entrusted to me that came with the appointment to this position. I believe, Mr. President, that I will be able to justify confidence of yours and all the people who believe in me.”

Mehriban Aliyeva said: “We shouldn’t forget humanity, kindness, mutual trust in our daily activities. On the contrary, we should hold high those moral values and through this achieve higher goals. I assure you that these principles will lie at the heart of my future activities.”

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva: I’ll try to serve Azerbaijan decently
Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who is widely considered to be in line to succeed her husband, is named vice president.