Private investigator activity is a real practice worldwide and is regulated by law or operates practically in many countries.
Modern.az reports, citing foreign media, that in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Scandinavian countries, private detectives operate based on special licenses and state permits, and professional requirements are imposed on them – for example, conditions such as experience, education, and no criminal record exist.
In Latvia, private detective activity has been regulated by law for many years, and detective services are widely used for both personal and criminal cases. In the USA, private detectives are licensed at the state level; registration and permits are primarily required in accordance with state laws.
On the other hand, in some countries, it is completely prohibited by law or operates in an unofficial form. For example, in China, the profession of a private detective in the classical sense is not officially recognized and lacks a legal framework.
In Turkey, there is no specific law, and private detective activity operates in a legal vacuum – there is no separate license or official regulation for operating as a detective. So, what is the situation in Azerbaijan?
“Such a service does not exist in Azerbaijan. This activity is not observed, neither legally nor factually.”
Lawyer Akram Hasanov stated these words in a statement to Modern.az.
He noted that the activities of private detective agencies contradict Azerbaijani legislation:
“There are prohibitions regarding this in the Law "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information", in the Criminal and Civil Codes, and in the Law "On Personal Data". That is, although the word “detective” is not directly mentioned as being prohibited, the principle of keeping personal data confidential negates this service. Most importantly, this is stipulated in Article 32 (Right to Personal Inviolability) of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
The lawyer noted that the activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Azerbaijan also indicate that there is no need for private detective agencies:
“It provides effective service as a direct institution preventing such possibilities. Such a service in the country, including assuming “authority” and similar positions, is also unacceptable.”
A. Hasanov noted that international conventions on human rights also contradict detective activities.
