Azerbaijan proposes new penalties for unauthorized military absence

The Milli Majlis Committee on Legal Policy and State Building is discussing amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses in Azerbaijan regarding military personnel. The proposed changes target officers, ensigns, midshipmen, and other military service members who leave their military unit or place of service without permission.

Under the new proposal, unauthorized absence or failure to return on time without a valid reason for more than one day but not exceeding ten days would result in an administrative fine of 200 to 300 manat or up to 15 days of administrative arrest. This marks a shift from the current regulation, which requires an absence of more than three days and allows for up to 20 days of arrest.

Repeat offenses within one year of a previous penalty would incur fines between 300 and 500 manat or administrative arrest for a period of 10 days to one month. Additionally, the project proposes strengthening prosecutorial oversight of administrative offenses against military service, allowing military prosecutors to review the legality of decisions and protocols within 30 days.