Azerbaijan 2019 Crime & Safety Report
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Azerbaijan 2019 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Azerbaijan at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased cautions due to the risk of terrorism. Do not travel to the Nagorno-Karabakh region due to armed conflict. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Baku does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services unit (ACS) of the Embassy’s Consular Section cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Review OSAC’s Azerbaijan-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is moderate risk from crime in Baku. Criminal acts committed against foreigners are infrequent in Baku. Most reported crimes involve Azerbaijani citizens, with burglary and assault the most common. Late-night attacks targeted against lone men are the most common crimes against foreigners. While not common, expatriates are at greater risk of being victims of petty crime (e.g. pickpocketing) in areas that attract large crowds or are very isolated. Some women have reported incidents of unwanted male attention, including touching and other inappropriate behavior, while walking on the streets or taking taxis alone. While the number of reported sexual assaults is statistically very low, this is likely an underreported issue due to cultural stigma. The Embassy is aware of one instance in which an assailant sexually assaulted a female U.S. citizen on an early morning jog in a park located in a tourist area. Azerbaijan is traditionally a cash society. However, the introduction of credit/bank cards has given rise to burgeoning crime related to their use. Crime related to credit card use tends to involve end- point user fraud, as opposed to more sophisticated uses of skimmers or card cloning devices. To help protect against credit card fraud, notify your banks and credit card companies with the dates and locations of travel and closely monitor accounts once you have returned. Credit cards typically have more protection than bank debit cards. Avoid using debit cards tied directly to checking or savings accounts. According to Ministry of Internal Affairs crime statistics for 2018, there were 26,381 crimes reported in 2018, 1% more than in 2017. The government prosecuted 144 crimes of trafficking in humans in 2018. Authorities identified 45 criminal groups specializing in narcotics, and seized over 1043 kg of narcotics. 1 Cybersecurity Issues Financial scams are increasingly common. While the majority of Internet-based scams involve Internet dating, there have been complaints regarding fraudulent real estate sales, licensing requirements, and travel advertisements. Other Areas of Concern Avoid travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied areas. Nagorno-Karabakh is a contested area in the southeastern portion of the lesser Caucasus Mountains. Fighting erupted over control of the region in the early 1990s. Although a cease-fire has been in effect since 1994, there are regular exchanges of gunfire across the line of contact; fighting briefly flared up in 2016. Land mines may be present in areas near the line of contact. Photography in these areas is discouraged and may result in detention. It is not possible to enter the self-proclaimed “Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,” which the U.S. does not recognize, from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has declared it illegal to travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories without its permission; doing so could make a traveler ineligible to visit Azerbaijan in the future. Engaging in any commercial activities in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories, whether directly or through business subsidiaries, can result in criminal prosecution and/or other legal action against individuals and/or businesses by the Azerbaijani government, and might make a traveler ineligible to visit Azerbaijan in the future. Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Azerbaijan is undergoing a massive infrastructure improvement program, with many major highways and primary thoroughfares under construction. Although newer sections of the road system are significantly improved, unfinished sections remain dangerous. Road conditions are generally poor, with better conditions in larger cities. Driving hazards (e.g. debris, sinkholes, and potholes) are common. Roadways outside metropolitan areas are poorly illuminated; reduced visibility at night compounds driving hazards. It is not uncommon to encounter drivers at night not using any lighting. Construction zones may not be marked, and may be indistinguishable until the driver is already upon them. Pedestrians contribute to the hazardous driving conditions by disregarding lane markings, other vehicles, crosswalks, and signs/signals, and demonstrating a general disregard for safe pedestrian behavior. Traffic police enforce traffic laws inconsistently and at a generally low level relative to the widespread incidents of reckless driving. Drivers often disregard traffic regulations, signals, lane markings, pedestrians, and other drivers. Drivers often speed excessively; road accidents are frequent and serious. Exercise extreme care during winter, as local authorities do not clear roadways of snow or ice, increasing the frequency of accidents. Azerbaijan widely uses speed and traffic cameras. All vehicle license plates are equipped with radio frequency identification chips. 2 Public Transportation Conditions The Baku metro system is an inexpensive and reliable option for transportation. Security cameras provide excellent coverage of all metro platforms. There are police units at each metro station, which may carry out random bag checks at entrances. However, recent issues with the power grid in the city revealed a lack of reliable emergency plans to evacuate the metro system, should it become inoperable. Only use established taxi companies and/or professional private drivers for travel. Most unmarked (and some marked) taxis are not metered; foreigners are often overcharged. Do not use unmarked taxis. Negotiate the fare before entering a taxi. Asking for a reasonable fare is expected and appropriate. The 189 telephone taxi service will provide the fare in advance, and specify the license number of the taxi dispatched. The Taxify smartphone app provides the same information. Purple London-style taxicabs (9000) may have meters, but passengers should confirm that the meter is functional. The majority of these cabs have established a 3 AZN minimum charge, although there are still several cabs that start trips with a 1 AZN minimum. Hiring a private car through a reputable hotel is generally a safe alternative, although more expensive. Uber is another alternative; general impressions indicate it is a reliable means of transportation. However, the company uses a server located in Russia, which has caused their maps to be less reliable and accurate than taxi-ordering platforms with server resources located in Azerbaijan. Be prepared to pay cab fare in cash (in small bills). Avoid use of the public bus network in Azerbaijan largely due to the lack of training and unsafe driving practices of bus drivers. Safety and licensing standards do not meet U.S. requirements. Other Travel Conditions Sidewalks are often uneven, with loose or missing stones/bricks and potholes. Many sidewalks, public courtyards, and park walkways are paved with marble. Marble edges of sidewalks and marble paving stones are extremely slippery when wet or icy. The number of injuries resulting from falling on marble-paved walkways increases significantly during rainy or icy conditions. Sidewalks and stairs leading into underground pedestrian crosswalk tunnels and most buildings are generally not handicap accessible and do not meet U.S. standards. Personal Identity Concerns U.S. citizens of Armenian descent may encounter anti-Armenian sentiments. Even if issued a visa, entry into Azerbaijan could be denied. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is considerable risk from terrorism in Baku. Azerbaijan maintains its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the U.S., and actively opposes terrorist organizations seeking to move people, money, and materiel through the Caucasus region. The country remains focused on counterterrorism efforts that include prosecuting individuals under statutes related to terrorism, arresting foreign terrorist fighters returning to Azerbaijan from conflicts abroad, and conducting special operations against those the government suspected were planning terror attacks. 3 Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence The political situation in Baku is stable. Civil Unrest There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Baku. Demonstrations are infrequent. However, since 2013, there have been periodic demonstrations relating to education reforms, military hazing, and disapproval of other government actions (or inaction). A heavy police presence normally accompanies opposition demonstrations.