Digital evidence will soon gain full legal status in Azerbaijan following new legislative initiatives.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Davud Rustamov, head of the National Cybersecurity Center of the State Security Service, announced that a new bill has been submitted to the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) to amend the Criminal Procedure Code.
According to Rustamov, once the amendments are adopted, technical traces of crimes found in hardware, software, networks, and cloud technologies will be officially recognized as legal evidence. He noted that the rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, has significantly accelerated both the automation and potential distortion of data in the digital environment, making it possible to perform calculations in seconds that previously took years.
The State Security Service official further added that a newly opened laboratory at the Baku Higher Oil School will conduct testing on software and hardware produced in Azerbaijan to identify vulnerabilities and gaps. The primary objective is to accelerate scientific research in line with the pace of digital development in Azerbaijan.
This legislative move aligns with Azerbaijan's broader strategy to modernize its judicial system and strengthen national cybersecurity. As the country continues to integrate digital solutions into its public and private sectors, the formal recognition of digital forensics is seen as a critical step in combating cybercrime and ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings in the digital age.
