Azerbaijani Law Expands Internal Troops’ Powers and Responsibilities

| News, Security, Azerbaijan

On October 10, the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) adopted in the first reading the draft law "On the Internal Troops of the Republic of Azerbaijan," expanding the powers of the internal troops and granting them authority to detain citizens under specific circumstances. During the plenary session of the parliament on October 10, the draft law was discussed and presented as a framework establishing the legal foundations, functions, and responsibilities of the internal troops. The bill outlined provisions related to their powers, material and technical support, and regulations for the use of special equipment and firearms.

According to the proposed law, the internal troops were permitted to detain individuals who had committed or were suspected of committing administrative offenses or crimes, those on the wanted list or who had escaped from penitentiary institutions, and persons violating the regime of a state of emergency, martial law, or emergency situations of a social nature. The same applied to those infringing upon the legal regime of areas affected by religious extremism or terrorist operations, or attempting to unlawfully enter facilities under the protection of the internal troops.

The legislation required that all detained persons be immediately informed of the reason for their detention, their rights be explained, and medical assistance provided when necessary. It also mandated that detainees be handed over without delay to the nearest police authority. The authors of the draft law stated that these amendments were designed to enhance the country’s defense capacity and ensure internal stability.

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