Participating in armed conflicts in foreign countries is a serious crime.
Modern.az reports that this was stated in the information disseminated by the Prosecutor General's Office.
It was noted that, based on recent investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies and information disseminated in the media, cases of some Azerbaijani citizens participating in the ongoing military operations between Russia and Ukraine, as well as in other armed conflicts, have been observed:
"We regret to note that there are citizens who have died, been seriously wounded, or taken captive as a result of these battles. We declare that, considering the protection of the lives, security, rights, and freedoms of Azerbaijani citizens as the supreme goal and duty of the state, a resolute and uncompromising stance is demonstrated towards every person who acts contrary to legislation and violates legal norms, based on the principle of the inevitability of legal responsibility.
Thus, participation in armed conflicts in the territory of foreign states is not merely an individual choice, but a serious, and in some cases, particularly serious crime according to national criminal legislation and the requirements of international conventions. According to the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, mercenary activity, i.e., acting with the aim of obtaining material reward by a person who is not a citizen of the state participating in a military conflict and military operations, does not permanently reside in its territory, and is not sent to perform official duties, as well as participation in the activities of armed formations or groups not provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is considered a crime, and for these acts, penalties of imprisonment for a certain period (from 8 to 20 years) or life imprisonment are stipulated.
It is brought to the attention of our citizens that participation in armed formations not provided for by Azerbaijani legislation is considered a crime, regardless of any ideological, material, personal, or other interests.
Criminal cases have already been initiated by the relevant law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan against several of our citizens engaged in these types of activities, and preliminary investigations have been completed for some cases and sent to the relevant courts for consideration, and appropriate judgments have been issued against those whose guilt has been proven, sentencing them to long-term imprisonment. Preliminary investigations are currently ongoing for other criminal cases in this category.
Our country's law enforcement agencies are taking all necessary measures to prevent the aforementioned illegalities and to identify and bring to justice those who commit acts contrary to the law.
We remind that, according to the Constitution, the duty of an Azerbaijani citizen is to comply with the laws of their state and to defend their homeland. No material interest can be more important than your life, freedom, and future. Avoiding illegal activities and upholding national interests is the moral and legal responsibility of each of us.
We call on our citizens to be vigilant, not to succumb to illegal calls, and to respect the laws of our state.
