A Board meeting was held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs

On January 24, a General Board meeting was held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, dedicated to the results of activities in 2024 regarding the fight against crime, the protection of public order, and ensuring public safety, as well as the tasks ahead for the current year. 
Opening the meeting with a speech, Minister General-Colonel Vilayat Eyvazov stated that thanks to the successful law enforcement policy carried out under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the country’s stability, based on solid foundations, was reliably protected in the reporting year. 
It was noted that efforts in the fight against crime, the protection of public order, and the defense of human rights and freedoms were carried out appropriately, and security was reliably ensured at international and national events, as well as in the territories liberated from occupation. The functions defined by law were continued in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies. Internal affairs employees, in close collaboration with relevant state agencies, fulfilled their duties and tasks in ensuring high security during the COP29 event, which was unprecedented in scale in comparison to previous conferences, competitions, and ceremonies held in the country. 
In his report, Minister V. Eyvazov emphasized that 33,379 crimes were recorded across all state agencies involved in operational-search and investigative activities, with 87.6% of these crimes solved. The number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants was 327 in 2024. 94.4% or 31,526 of the crimes were law offenses investigated procedurally by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office, with 90.3% of them being solved.
87.3% of serious and particularly serious crimes, 86% of crimes committed in unclear circumstances, 98.9% of crimes against individuals, 96.6% of murders, 95.2% of attempted murders, 98.9% of grievous bodily harm, and 83.3% of property-related crimes were solved. The detection rate for petty theft increased by 3% to 87.5%. A total of 3,271 individuals involved in serious and particularly serious crimes were arrested, and 216 criminal groups were neutralized.
As a result of ongoing preventive measures, compared to the previous period, in 2024, a decrease in crimes committed in groups by 23.2%, in public places by 9%, and by individuals previously convicted by 8% was observed. Overall, crimes decreased by 9.4%, serious and particularly serious crimes by 18.9%, crimes committed in unclear circumstances by 18.1%, intentional murders by 9.6%, attempted murders by 16.9%, grievous bodily harm by 13.5%, hooliganism by 5%, crimes committed with fire weapon by 21%, property-related crimes by 10.4%, including car thefts by 9.5%, and traffic accidents by 12.8%, with injuries from accidents decreasing by 13.1% and fatalities by 11.4%.
The Minister noted significant progress in solving unresolved crimes from previous years in cooperation with prosecutors’ office staff, with 630 individuals held accountable for their actions. He emphasized the large volume of work accomplished in preventing and investigating serious, particularly serious, and transnational organized crime.
The search results for individuals wanted by law enforcement improved, reaching 87.9%, with the whereabouts of 118 people put on international wanted lists through Interpol’s National Central Bureau and 65 people wanted by member countries of the organization being determined.
In relation to the illegal possession and trafficking of fire weapon, 527 cases were identified, leading to the arrest of 247 individuals. In total, 7,227 fire weapon and nearly 1 million rounds of ammunition were discovered.
Regarding the fight against drugs, Minister V. Eyvazov pointed out that, compared to 2023, 250 kilograms more drugs were seized—4 tons and 714 kilograms in total—while 283 kilograms of drugs intended for smuggling into the country were prevented. Additionally, 466 cases related to online drug sales resulted in the confiscation of 2 tons and 51 kilograms of narcotics. Furthermore, 108 criminal groups involved in drug-related crimes were neutralized. 
Minister Eyvazov highly appreciated the positive results achieved in this area and instructed that this work continue decisively. He emphasized the importance of public participation in the fight against these crimes, noting that many successful operations had been carried out based on citizens' information. The observed positive trends reflect the strengthening of police-citizen relationships, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs relies on the mature segment of society and every responsible citizen, expecting even more from the media, active social network users, and bloggers.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to everyone displaying high civic responsibility, including public activists, non-governmental organizations, and media representatives. He also highlighted the significance of anti-narcotics campaigns in the country, mentioning that nearly 1,200 awareness-raising events had been held last year with the participation of district police authorities. He gave instructions for such events to continue and be purposefully aimed at reducing drug demand in the country in the current year. Furthermore, he ordered the expansion of the participation of state agency specialists, highly qualified educators, and well-known public figures in awareness activities at educational institutions and the prompt response to any relevant signals from schools or parents.
The Minister reported that preventive measures continue to be implemented to prevent, investigate, and ensure that individuals committing crimes related to violence against women are held accountable. He emphasized that all criminal cases involving women as accused or victims, including the regular analysis of related materials, are being closely monitored. Measures are being taken to identify and eliminate the factors that incite crimes, with relevant petitions being submitted to the responsible authorities and organizations. He highlighted that, as a result of efforts to protect the procedural rights of women who are victims of violent and domestic crimes, the  47-case reduction in the total number of crimes committed against women in 2024, including a 1.8% decrease in crimes related to family conflicts, was observed.
The Minister also mentioned that the preventive measures taken to address teenager and youth delinquency had yielded positive results, with an 18.5% decrease in such offenses. He emphasized the need to increase the effectiveness of efforts aimed at preventing young people from being influenced by harmful information circulating on certain social media platforms and from adopting unhealthy habits.
It was reported that in the reporting year, 6,055 citizens were received, including 4,468 from 60 cities and districts of the country, following prior public notifications. The majority of the issues raised were resolved on-site and positively. Additionally, requests received by the Ministry were thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions were taken.
General-Colonel Vilayat Eyvazov also touched upon the importance of ensuring citizen satisfaction, objectively and sensitively examining applications and complaints, and protecting the rule of law. He stated that significant efforts had been made in these areas, with positive results. He noted that the “102” Service, hotlines, and social media requests had been promptly addressed, approximately 80.3% of material damages caused by crimes had been compensated, and electronic services provided to the public had been modernized to meet contemporary standards. He highlighted the creation of the "E-Police" mobile application, which enhances transparency, operational efficiency, and secure data exchange in state-citizen relations, and the development of mobile applications for 31 types of state services through the "Electronic Services Portal."
In line with the meeting's agenda, the report and related discussions were heard. Speakers discussed the work done, the results achieved, existing shortcomings, and the measures being taken to address them.
Concluding the Board meeting, the Minister drew attention to the shortcomings in the activities of some regional units, stressing the necessity of implementing the required measures to address these issues. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the reliable protection of every individual's legal interests, rights, and freedoms, and demanded that employees always adhere to ethical behavior standards in their interactions with citizens, remain resolute, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance professionalism. The Minister also issued instructions and recommendations to continuously improve the effectiveness of service activities.
He further noted that the positive results achieved in the fight against crime and the provision of public order and safety do not lead to complacency among the Ministry of Internal Affairs staff. The personnel are committed to carrying out their duties with determination and dedication, serving the people, and ensuring the enforcement of laws in all areas of Azerbaijan, which is fully sovereign.
Minister Vilayat Eyvazov expressed deep gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, for his high attention and care for the Ministry, as well as for the trust he has placed in the personnel. He assured that the Ministry will continue its efforts with great determination and resolve in ensuring the rule of law, public order, and the safety and satisfaction of citizens.