Azerbaijan tightens penalties for military registration violations

By the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AR) No. 152-VIIQD dated March 7, 2025, amendments were made to the chapter "Administrative offenses against the rules of military registration, military records and mobilization" of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription reminded that fines have been increased for officials and legal entities for untimely provision of information about conscripts and persons liable for military service, including information about registration, deregistration, changes in personal data, initiation of criminal cases and court decisions that have entered into force, as well as for untimely notification of conscripts about summons.

In addition, sanctions have been strengthened against conscripts and persons liable for military service who evade initial military registration, do not apply to local bodies of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription within the established seven-day period after being placed in reserve, do not deregister from their place of residence and do not register at their new place of stay for more than three months, as well as do not inform the military commissariat about a change of residence within a ten-day period.

According to Article 606.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, failure to appear without a valid reason when summoned to the military commissariat for conscription, medical examination, assignment to military units or participation in training camps entails a fine of 300 to 500 manats or community service for a period of 160 to 240 hours. At the same time, if a person appears at the relevant executive authority before a court decision is made, they are exempted from administrative liability.

It is important to note that evading military service without legal grounds in order to avoid conscription or mobilization entails criminal liability in accordance with Article 321 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The current legislation emphasizes the need for support of the conscription process by state bodies. Timely and accurate registration of conscripts and persons liable for military service is a key factor in ensuring the country's defense capability. Reporting a change of residence is a mandatory requirement. The state intends to strengthen control in the field of military registration, medical examination and prevention of evasion from military service.