In Azerbaijan, there is a practice of holding high-ranking officials accountable for shortcomings in their activities, with the aim of strengthening management and executive discipline. According to Article 186 of the Labor Code, employees may be subject to disciplinary actions such as reprimand, severe reprimand with a final warning, a fine not exceeding one-fourth of their salary, or termination of the employment contract, depending on the degree of the violation. Experience shows that reprimands announced by the state leadership directly affect the future careers of officials.
Modern.az presents a list of well-known officials who have officially received reprimands or severe reprimands for shortcomings in their service activities to date:
Oqtay Shahbazov - August 21, 2017
Oqtay Gasham oglu Shahbazov, who served as the Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan since January 15, 2016, received a reprimand by order of President Ilham Aliyev for shortcomings in the performance of his official duties. He was dismissed from the said position on January 26, 2021.
Nahid Bagirov - April 21, 2020
Nahid Rza oglu Bagirov, who was appointed Head of the Ismayilli District Executive Power on March 5, 2020, was subjected to disciplinary action shortly after his appointment. He received a reprimand by presidential order for violating the special quarantine regime rules implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the country.
Rovshan Mammadov - June 17, 2021
Rovshan Ragif oglu Mammadov, who served as the Chairman of "Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting" CJSC (AzTV) since September 4, 2019, was punished with a severe reprimand by order of the head of state for serious shortcomings recorded in his service activities.
Anar Tagiyev and Ali Aliyev - May 13, 2022
On the same day, two district executive heads received reprimands by an order signed by President Ilham Aliyev. Anar Agil oglu Tagiyev, who has been the administrator of Yevlakh since October 31, 2019, and Ali Naghi oglu Aliyev, who has been leading Fuzuli since February 25, 2011, received reprimands for shortcomings in their work.
Balababa Rzayev - October 5, 2024
Balababa Huseynagha oglu Rzayev, who has been the president of "Azerenerji" OJSC since September 4, 2018, received a severe reprimand by order of the head of state. The chief power engineer was subjected to this punishment for exporting electricity without proper coordination, violating the directions of gas use in the fuel and energy balance approved for that year.
Fuad Naghiyev - March 4, 2025
Fuad Humbat oglu Naghiyev, who has held the post of Chairman of the State Tourism Agency since April 23, 2018, was punished by official order. He received a severe reprimand from the President for shortcomings in the area he led and in his work.
Orkhan Huseynzade - August 28, 2025
Orkhan Rovshan oglu Huseynzade, who was appointed Head of the Aghdash District Executive Power on November 1, 2024, was subjected to disciplinary action before completing his first year of activity. The executive head received a severe reprimand by order of the country's leader due to serious shortcomings in his work.
Adil Aliyev - February 17, 2026
The latest reprimand incident announced to the public for shortcomings in his activities concerns Adil Abish oglu Aliyev, the Head of the Surakhani District Executive Power. This disciplinary action was announced to A. Aliyev, who has been leading the district since July 8, 2024, by Eldar Azizov, the Head of the Baku City Executive Power. The reasons cited were sanitary cleaning problems recorded in Surakhani district and some settlements falling behind capital standards.
