Rakhmonov Imomali

(b. Kulyab region, Tajikistan, 5 Oct. 1952) Tajik; President (chair of Supreme Soviet) of the Republic of Tajikistan 1992 – 4; President of Tajikistan 1994 –   After graduating in economics from Tajikistan State University Rakhmonov worked in trade union and party organizations before becoming Director of a state farm in the Kulyab region (1988 – 92). Soon after being appointed as chair of the Kulyab regional party committee in November 1992 he was elected chair of the Tajikistan Supreme Soviet (President) to replace the deposed Akbarsho Iskandarov. Rakhmonov was a safe Russian nominee installed when Russia and Uzbekistan jointly intervened in the Tajik civil war after Iskandarov had been forced to include members of the opposition (Democrats and Afghanistan-based Islamic Revivalists) in his government. After banning opposition parties and imposing controls on the press he won direct presidential elections in November 1994 (widespread vote-rigging was suspected). Similar legislative elections in February 1995 confirmed the domination of the Tajik Communist Party and its commitment to a one-party state.