16 Facts About Rustam Emomali

Rustam Emomali is believed to be prepared by his father to succeed him as the leader of Tajikistan; he holds the title of the constitutionally designated successor to the presidency.

Rustam Emomali was appointed as the mayor of Dushanbe by his father in 2017 at the age of 29.

Rustam Emomali graduated from the Tajik State National University with a specialist's degree in International Economic Relations and took courses with the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2007, Rustam Emomali co-founded the Dushanbe-based football club Istiklol and, during the next several years, he served as the club's captain and played for it as a striker.

In 2011, Rustam Emomali was appointed deputy president of Tajikistan's Football Federation and joined the International Relations Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Rustam Emomali is known for his two expensive hobbies: car racing and collecting sports cars.

Rustam Emomali is the first recipient of "Argali Conservation Achievement Award".

Also in 2009, Rustam Emomali was appointed a deputy head of the Youth Union, the Tajik successor to the Soviet-era Komsomol organization.

In November 2013, Rustam Emomali was appointed head of the Customs Service.

In March 2015, president Rustam Emomali Rahmon appointed his son to head Tajikistan's principal anti-corruption agency, the State Agency For Financial Control and Measures Against Corruption.

In January 2017, Rustam Emomali was appointed Mayor of Dushanbe, a key position, which is seen by some analysts as the next step to the top of the government.

Rustam Emomali attends all key international summits in the country and accompanies his father during his frequent tours around the country.

One of the key amendments reduced the minimum eligibility age for presidential candidates from 35 to 30, effectively enabling Rustam Emomali to succeed his father in office after 2017.

Rustam Emomali is the oldest son of Tajikistan's president, Emomali Rahmon.

Rustam Emomali has eight siblings, including a younger brother, Somon.

Rustam Emomali got married in 2009 to a daughter of a well-connected entrepreneur who owns a number of food-processing enterprises.