# Chingiz Abdullayev

Chingiz Akif oğlu Abdullayev (Azerbaijani: Çingiz Abdullayev; born 7 April 1959 in Baku) is an Azerbaijani writer, Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers.

## Early life

Originating from a family of intellectuals with roots in the Agdam region of Karabakh, Chingiz Abdullayev embarked on his educational journey at Baku School No. 189, concluding in 1976. Following this, Abdullayev engaged in advanced studies at the Law Faculty of Azerbaijan State University, culminating in his graduation in 1981. In the ensuing period, he secured a position at a production association located in Baku, ascending through the hierarchical structure to attain the roles of senior counselor and department head.
Throughout his illustrious career, Abdullayev partook in business expeditions spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe. Within his native city of Baku, he fulfilled various roles, including serving as the department head in the Executive Committee of the Azizbeyov district, as an instructor for the organizational department of the Karadag Committee of the Communist Party of the Azerbaijan SSR, and subsequently, as the head of the office of political education.
In the realm of academia, Abdullayev has made noteworthy contributions, defending a master’s thesis focused on aggression within international law, followed by a doctoral thesis in 1991, centered on crimes within the same legal sphere. Among his academic accolades, he has been honored with the title of honorary professor at the University of Krakow since 1989. Beyond his academic endeavors, Abdullayev has occupied several distinguished positions, such as the chairman of the H. Z. Taghiyev Charity Foundation since 1990, secretary of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, and vice-president of the Pen Club in Azerbaijan.
Demonstrating linguistic adeptness, Abdullayev is fluent in Azerbaijani and Russian and exhibits proficiency in English and Italian.

## Early career

Abdullayev wrote his first novel in 1985. It was barred from publication because of the secrets it revealed, but by 1988 the Soviet censorship was relaxed, and his book was published.

## Popularity

He is known mostly for his detective novels, which became extremely popular throughout the former Soviet Union and continue to attract readers not only in the CIS countries but also throughout the world.
Abdullayev has been published more than any other Azerbaijani writer. His books sold more than 20 million copies – mostly in the genre of detective novels and short stories in the Russian language.
He has authored more than 86 works, including novels and short stories, which have been published in 17 languages in 23 countries throughout the world. including the countries of the former Soviet Union, France, Israel, Sweden, Norway, Turkey and Bulgaria. His detective novels that are listed in The Golden Fund of World Detective Literature include: Blue Angels, The Law of Scoundrels, Better to Be Holy, The Shadow of Herod, and Three Colors of Blood.

## Philanthropy

Chingiz Abdullayev refuses to earn any money from speeches or lectures in Azerbaijan, preferring instead to donate any money he could earn here to refugees who can't go home because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 2012, he has campaigned to stop male violence against women.

## Honours and awards

* Order of the Red Star
* Order of the Red Banner of Labour
* Order of the Red Banner
* Medal "For Labour Valour"
* Medal "For Courage"
* Shohrat Order

## Family

Married, has one son and daughter.