Russia, Moscow, March 13 / corr Trend R.Agayev /
Russian Azerbaijanis Congress Board member Rafik Gafarov was awarded the Saint Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky Diploma, the congress told Trend .
The There is Trade - Defend the Motherland Committee, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Council and Victory Council presented Gafarov with the award in the special category, "For Preserving Interethnic Peace, Understanding and Consolidating Friendship Between Russia and Azerbaijan."
Gafarov received the diploma at a gala ceremony at the Russian State Concert Hall.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu was also awarded the honor.
Gafarov was born in Azerbaijan on Feb. 5, 1952. He graduated from the Azerbaijani Petrochemical Institute in 1973 and was dispatched to Yakutia where he worked for 33 years. Gafarov began working as assistant to the drilling foreman. He then headed an oil-and-gas exploration expedition and served as general director of Yakutbutneftgaz and Lenaneftgas. Gafarov subsequently established and ran the Lucky Bank for 8 years. He supervised restoration activities in Lensk after flooding in 2001. In 1996, he graduated from the Russian Presidential State Service Academy. Gafarov was also elected to the Yakutiya Supreme Council.
Gafarov is a doctoral candidate in legal sciences and academic at the World Nations Religious Unity International Academy. He is an assistant to a member of parliament. He is also a member of the Azerbaijani Writers Union. He is married with three children.