Chingiz Abdullayev

Chingiz Akif oglu Abdullayev (Azerbaijani: Çingiz Akif oğlu Abdullayev; born April 7, 1959, Baku) is Azerbaijani writer, Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers. Unlike many other Azerbaijani writers, who studied philology, Abdullayev has a Doctorate in Law from Baku State University (1991). Abdullayev graduated from the faculty of law of Baku State University and began working for the Ministry of Defense of the USSR in 1981. He was wounded twice in the line of duty. Abdullayev was decorated by the Soviet government with the Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Red Star and medals. His decision to make writing a full-time career became clear to him after his friend, a fellow Soviet spy was double-crossed and killed by a shotgun blast to the back on an Angolan street in 1983. 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. His writing became an almost overnight success and he quit the intelligence service a year later. 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 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.