Karim Abdraufovich Khakimov

Karim Abdraufovich Khakimov – a Soviet diplomat, the first plenipotentiary representative of Soviet Russia in the Arab countries. He was born in the village of Dyusyanovo, Ufa Governorate. In 1917 Khakimov completed his gymnasium studies externally in Tomsk.

From 1918 to 1919 Khakimov was actively involved in political and military life, holding various positions. He was a member of the Orenburg Muslim Military-Revolutionary Committee, provincial commissar of public education, a battalion commander, and head of a political department.

In 1920, on the recommendation of V. Kuybyshev, Khakimov began a diplomatic career. He served as deputy head of the political administration of the Turkestan Front, secretary of the provisional Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkestan, and plenipotentiary representative of the RSFSR in the Bukhara People's Republic. In subsequent years Khakimov held the posts of Consul General of the USSR in Iran and plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in various Arab countries — Hejaz, Nejd, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. In addition, he combined diplomatic work with activities in the "Blizhnevostoktorg" (Near East Trade) and the OGPU. From 1932 to 1935 Khakimov undertook advanced training at the Institute of Red Professorship.

In 1937 Khakimov was recalled to Moscow and arrested on charges of "espionage and participation in a counter-revolutionary organization." On January 10, 1938 he was executed. Karim Khakimov was posthumously rehabilitated on January 28, 1956.