Baku: Penalties for the deliberate destruction or damage of historical and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan are set to become more stringent, APA reports. This development is reflected in the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, which were discussed during today’s session of the Milli Majlis.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the current law stipulates that the deliberate destruction or damage of state-protected historical and cultural monuments is punishable by a fine of 2,000 to 4,000 manats, or imprisonment for up to two years. The proposed amendments aim to impose harsher penalties for such offenses. Deliberately damaging movable or immovable cultural property causing significant damage will be punishable by a fine of up to twice the damage amount, or by restriction of liberty for up to two years, or by imprisonment for the same term.
Further measures include harsher penalties for the deliberate destruction of movable cultural property protected by the state, which will be punishable by a fine ranging from twice to three times the damage amount, or by restriction of liberty for up to three years, or by imprisonment for the same duration. For immovable cultural property, the penalties will be even more severe, with fines ranging from three to five times the damage amount, or by restriction of liberty for three to five years, or imprisonment for the same term.
Additional penalties are outlined for offenses committed under aggravating circumstances, such as repeated offenses, those committed by officials abusing their position, by groups acting in conspiracy, or motivated by national, racial, or religious hatred or fanaticism. In such cases, imprisonment will range from four to eight years, with possible additional penalties including deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to three years.
The term ‘cultural property protected by the state’ encompasses assets on the protection list as per the Law ‘On Culture,’ and those identified as cultural property even before their inclusion in the list. A “significant amount” is defined as exceeding three thousand manats.
The draft law was put to a vote and passed on its first reading. If formally adopted, the law will become effective on February 1, 2026.