Hazret Sovmen

Hazret Medzhidovich Sovmen ( _ru. Хазре́т Меджи́дович Совмен) (born May 1, 1937) was the second President of the Republic of Adygea in the Russian Federation, having succeeded Aslan Dzharimov at the post. Sovmen is a university professor hailing from Maykop. Before he became the President Hazret Sovmen had been a successful businessman (with links to Russian entrepreneurs in Siberia), having started off as a bulldozer driver in a gold mine in Chukotka. He is the founder of "Polyus Gold", Russia's leading gold-mining company.

Political career

Sovmen was elected to the office of President on January 13, 2002 by direct suffrage in the Republic. He was faced with the challenges of leading one of a Russia's poorest republics, officially declared bankrupt by the Government of Russia. Sovmen was involved in political activities with the "Slavic people Union", Adygeya's principal opposition party. Russian president Vladimir Putin is believed to have supported Sovmen. In 1997, Russian President Yeltsin awarded him with a "For the Merits to Motherland" award of the 3rd class. On January 13, 2007 he was succeeded as Adygean President by Aslan Tkhakushinov.

He is a member of the United Russia party.

Personal life

Sovmen's interests include hunting and fishing.