Combating organized crime
Struggle against economic crimes and smuggling
Elimination of existing risks and threats with the purpose of providing favorable conditions for protection and development of economic potential, as well as strengthening economic power are vital factors of national security of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Based on this point, the risks and threats directed against the national security of Azerbaijan are regularly controlled by the Ministry of National Security, their sources, current and perspective targets, as well as activity directions on prevention of appropriate cases are being determined.
Within the actions taken against economic crimes, in 2007, transnational organized group was established that engaged in drawing out money from the bank accounts of the International Bank of Azerbaijan with forged plastic cards. As a result of this criminal activity 53000 US dollars belonging to the Azerbaijani citizens was stolen from the territories of different countries. 8 members of the group, including 2 foreigners were sentenced to imprisonment.
Ministry of National Security takes effective measures on struggle against the illegal turnover of different goods, especially against smuggling of strategic raw materials, substances with double-character, material and cultural relicts, and injurious substances to the health. As a result of operatively-search actions taken during 2007, activity of several organized criminal groups was prevented, criminal cases were started on six facts, different goods (caviar, ammunitions, strategic materials on the value of 8379 dollars, various materials which have historical, scientific, artistic and museum importance on the value of 38600 dollars, great amount of psychotropic substances, medical products and accessories, alcohol) were confiscated. Over the same period, as part of operatively-search actions taken against corruption offenses 6 facts of crime were detected.
In 2008, as part of measures taken against financial crimes, attempts to change false “American Express” traveler’s checks, taking loans from commercial banks and other credit organizations by submitting false documents have been prevented. In these regards responsible state agencies have been informed and related documents have been sent to them. In the same year as part of measures taken against smuggling, materials collected on contraband of 15 tons of sturgeon to Azerbaijan have been sent to the responsible state agencies and upon this fact criminal case has been started under article 206 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Over the same period, as part of operatively-search actions taken against corruption offenses 6 facts of crime were detected, 11 persons were detained.
In 2009, as part of measures taken against economic crimes and smuggling 5 criminal cases have been started and 14 persons have been brought to criminal responsibility. Over the same period, as part of operatively-search actions taken against corruption offenses 1 criminal case was started, 1 person was brought to criminal responsibility.
In 2010, as part of measures taken against economic crimes and smuggling 19 criminal cases were started and 32 persons were brought to criminal responsibility. Over the same period, as part of operatively-search actions taken against corruption offenses 3 criminal cases were started, 4 persons were brought to criminal responsibility.
In 2011, as part of measures taken against economic crimes and smuggling 12 criminal cases were started, 16 persons were brought to criminal responsibility. Over the same period, as a result of actions taken against other illegal activities 13 criminal cases were started, 44 persons were brought to criminal responsibility.