The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has approved significant amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedural Codes in connection with the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.
The draft law was discussed and adopted during today's plenary session of the parliament, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.
The primary objective of the legislation is to address modern challenges in the fight against cybercrime and eliminate existing legislative gaps. The document aims to fully integrate the requirements of international treaties into the domestic legal system of Azerbaijan, ensuring a robust framework for digital security.
New Legislative Terms: ICT and Cloud Infrastructure
In accordance with the Convention's requirements, the term "computer system" in the legislation is replaced by "ICT system", and "computer data" is replaced by "electronic data".
This change ensures that all modern digital tools, ranging from smartphones to cloud infrastructure, are included within the scope of legal regulation. Furthermore, the legislation introduces several new legal concepts:
- Traffic data;
- Subscriber information;
- Content data;
- Service provider.
Electronic Evidence and Digital Judicial System
The additions to the Criminal Procedural Code bring the process of collecting electronic evidence into a complete legal framework. This includes defining rules for obtaining, protecting, and procedurally documenting electronic data. The legal grounds for the inspection, search, and seizure of ICT systems have also been clarified to increase transparency in court proceedings.
New articles regarding "Electronic conduct of pre-trial proceedings" and "Electronic conduct of judicial proceedings" have been added to the Code to regulate these processes. The mechanism for document circulation between the courts and the prosecution will now be carried out through the "Electronic Court" and "Electronic Prosecution" systems using enhanced electronic signatures.
Following extensive discussions, the bill was put to a vote and passed in its third reading.
Context and Significance
The ratification of this UN Convention and the subsequent legislative updates mark a pivotal step in Azerbaijan's integration into the global cybersecurity network. As digital transformation accelerates in Azerbaijan, these laws provide the necessary legal infrastructure to protect citizens and state institutions from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By aligning with international standards, Azerbaijan strengthens its capacity for cross-border cooperation in investigating digital crimes and securing its national ICT landscape.
