The extended collegiate meeting devoted to the results of crime prevention, public order and public security maintenance in the first half-year 2014 and the current challenges was held in the Ministry of Internal Affairs on July 11.
Opening the meeting with the introductory speech, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Ramil Usubov emphasized the dynamic development of our country under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, further broadening of extensive reforms and, in whole, the progress achieved in all areas of the social and political life of the country, and at the same time worthy performance of tasks on public order maintenance and reliable protection of citizens’ interests during the reporting period.
He noted that for many years Azerbaijan has been one of the leading states of the world by the level of stability and public security maintenance. Over the last 10 years, the number of crimes per each 100.000 persons decreased considerably and reached 231 facts on the average that is far less than in other countries. Positive tendencies in the crime dynamics and structure were maintained in the first 6 months of this year, and the criminal situation in the country was kept under strict control.
In his summary report, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Police Lieutenant-General Vilayat Eyvazov noted that 12.231 crimes were registered in the result of special investigation activities. 92% of them were internal cases and unlawful acts under pre-trial investigation by the prosecution agencies. 87.2% of them were the crimes not constituting considerable social threat and less grave crimes, and only 12.8% fell on grave and especially grave crimes.
In the result of taken systematic and purposeful measures, decrease in the number of grave and especially grave crimes was observed in 24 cities and regions of the republic. In general, within the structure of this kind of crimes offences against the person decreased by 5.4%, including decrease by 13.8% in the number of intentional homicides and decrease by 5.7% in the number of intended grave bodily harm. At the same time, the number of crimes committed in public places decreased by 13%, crimes committed by organized criminal groups decreased by 62%, collective crimes decreased by 8%, crimes committed by minors decreased by 2.5%. The percentage of solved crimes was also high and made 80.1%, and main efforts in this area were directed at restoration of violated rights and justice in respect of injured persons. As a result the number of solved grave and especially grave crimes committed under unknown circumstances increased up to 71%. In the result of timely application of the action plan, 594 crimes were solved “hot on the trail”, 241 cases unsolved in previous years were solved jointly with the prosecution agencies including 54 grave and especially grave crimes.

Owing to the quick response measures taken based on the information received by the “102” service, 5000 unlawful acts were prevented, as well as 1573 criminal cases were launched. With the technical possibilities of the “Safe City” service, 5526 traffic accidents, 85 events resulting in hitting of pedestrians were detected, 69 wanted vehicles were detained.
4461 persons were brought to trial for commission of various crimes including 1037 persons for grave and especially grave crimes. Performance indicators of search for accused also increased by 2.5%. 1125 persons fleeing from prosecution were detained. In total, 52.3% of wanted persons were detained.
In the result of complex measures taken for the prevention of organized crime, 114 criminal groups and gangs which committed 286 grave and especially grave crimes were neutralized. 2267 national banknotes for an overall amount of 98 thousand AZN as well as about 300 tons of out of date construction materials were recalled from illegal circulation, and 71 persons were brought to trial for illegal keeping and wearing of fire arms.
Within the scope of preventive measures against drug trafficking and trafficking in persons, 1743 crimes were solved, 27 criminal groups and gangs consisting of 90 persons were neutralized, and 373 kg of narcotic substances were recalled from illegal circulation. In the result of measures taken according to the special action plan, cannabis and poppy of total weight 111 tons were detected and destroyed. As regards trafficking in persons, 50 crimes were solved and reintegration of 39 victims into the society was provided.
It was noted also that results obtained in the work on damages recovery for legal entities and individuals by employees of the agencies of investigation and inquiry fulfilling essential duties in the field of strengthening of legitimacy, protection of human rights and freedoms improved and achieved 71%.

Against the background of increase in the number of vehicles taken into state registration (35.776 vehicles) in the republic, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 11%, the number of persons who died in the accidents decreased by 8 %, the number of wounded persons decreased by 15 %, and the number of accidents caused by traffic offences committed by pedestrians decreased 2.3 times.
In whole, the internal affairs bodies made 619.148 protocols on administrative offences, in the result 573.696 person were fined, 1786 persons were detained under administrative procedure, and 22.187 persons got a notice.
It was mentioned in the report that the Internal Troops, which are always in the focus of special attention and care of President of the Azerbaijan Republic Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, keep watch and ward over public order and discharge their functions at the highest level.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the President’s order to pay special attention and treat with due diligence appeals and reception of citizens is also executed consistently and over 3000 citizens including 140 citizens on a predetermined schedule were received in different regions of the republic, and the most part of issues were solved in situ. Other applications requiring additional consideration were taken under control and written replies clarifying their rights were sent to addressers. During the reporting 6-month period, decrease in the number of applications received by the Ministry by 3.8%, in the number of complaints about police officers acts by 11.7%, in the number of complaints received from the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan by 9%.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Police Lieutenant-General Vilayat Eyvazov also provided a detailed report on the work done for organization of service of the staff in the conditions corresponding to the highest standards owing to attention and support of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and provision of bodies and departments with new information technology.  

When discussing the report, chiefs of structural units of the Ministry and city and regional police departments told about the work done, measures taken for removing shortcomings and current tasks and objectives.
Summarizing the meeting, Colonel General Ramil Usubov defined the operational and service activity as satisfactory in whole, noted that all duties established by law were fulfilled with due diligence, and emphasized the importance of successful maintenance of internal stability and public order together with other law enforcement authorities, and more effective organization of activities in the field of service for the benefit of the people and provision of citizens’ satisfaction.
Mr. Usubov called attention of the meeting participants to a strong belief of the Head of our state that one of the key prerequisites of any balance in the society is stability and security, and noted that President Ilham Aliyev highly appreciates the staff’s dedicated service as it always has been. On the threshold of the professional holiday, 67 officials were awarded state prizes, 4 persons in a superior position were awarded senior and special military ranks as well as various incentive measures were taken in respect of over 11.000 of distinguished officials. The Minister noted that special attention and exactingness on the part of our esteemed President lay grave responsibility on the staff, emphasized the importance of more effective protection of public order, human rights and freedoms and citizens’ interests, and demanded removing shortcomings in the service activities in the shortest possible time, having charged the staff with a number of tasks.

The Minister defined corruption and bribery control as a compelling stand of the President of Azerbaijan and emphasized special importance of carrying on the struggle against such negative events, taking measures for ideological work and awareness-building jointly with other state authorities and community representatives for the prevention of radical religious acts in our republic, which always sets the example of tolerance, as well as using experience of long-service police officers in prevention and detection of crimes.
The Minister of Internal Affairs expressed his confidence that the staff will continue to make all efforts for due crime prevention and public order and security maintenance, comply with the demands and fulfill the tasks defined by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev in respect of strengthening of order and legitimacy in the country, improvement of service duties and activities, maintenance of stability and peace and protection of lawful interests of the state, legal entities and citizens against any illegal acts.