Criminal
The 2000 Criminal Code with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty
The Criminal Code entered into force in September 2000, replacing the Soviet-era code. The death penalty was abolished in 1998, making Azerbaijan the first state in the region to do so, and life imprisonment is now the most severe sanction.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National. Serious crimes are tried in the Grave Crimes Courts.
Governing law
- Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan1999, in force 1 September 2000
- Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan2000
In practice
The Code follows the continental structure of a general part on liability and sentencing and a special part defining offences. Investigations are conducted by the police, the State Security Service and the Prosecutor's Office depending on the offence, with judicial authorisation required for detention and searches. Serious offences are tried at first instance in the Grave Crimes Courts rather than district courts. Pre-trial detention periods are capped by the procedure code, though extensions are available for particularly complex investigations.