President Ilham Aliyev has approved amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, establishing new protocols for the seizure of electronic media and information technology systems during criminal investigations without a prior court order.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the updated legislation allows investigators to conduct searches or seizures in urgent cases where there is a risk of concealment or destruction of evidence. These measures apply specifically to ICT systems, their components, and electronic data storage devices that may contain evidence related to crimes against individuals or state authority, or the preparation of such crimes.
The law stipulates that when there are sufficient grounds to believe that evidence of significance to a case is stored within an ICT system or electronic carrier, a search may be conducted and the equipment seized with the mandatory participation of a technical specialist. These amendments are part of Azerbaijan's ongoing legal reforms aimed at modernizing the judicial system and enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement agencies in combating cyber-related crimes and threats to national security. By streamlining the process for securing digital evidence, the state seeks to ensure more rapid responses to complex criminal activities in the digital age.
