Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis approved in a first reading on Oct. 30 a bill that would protect and reward people who report corruption. The proposal would cap the main reward at 10,000 manats and could provide an additional payment equal to 5% of funds recovered for the state in criminal cases.
The vote moves the proposal beyond committee review, but the bill is not yet law and must pass further readings and the remaining legislative process.
How Rewards Would Be Calculated
If information is confirmed, the head of the relevant organization would have 10 working days to approve a payment from the organization’s budget. The main reward could not exceed 25 times the statutory monthly minimum wage. With Azerbaijan’s 2026 minimum wage at 400 manats, the ceiling would be 10,000 manats.
Officials would consider the nature of the violation, the number of confirmed incidents, the information’s importance in uncovering wrongdoing, the damage caused and the value of assets recovered.
A separate provision would apply in criminal cases. A whistleblower could receive 5% of proceeds returned to the state through special confiscation, payments to the state budget or compensation for material damage, after legally defined expenses are deducted. During the pretrial stage, an investigator would decide with a prosecutor’s approval; during court proceedings, the court would decide.
Protection and Tax Treatment
The proposed reward would be exempt from income tax. The bill also provides for confidentiality, protection for whistleblowers and their relatives, state-funded legal assistance and compensation for losses caused by retaliation.
Reports would have to be registered and generally reviewed within 20 working days, with a possible extension of up to 10 working days. Knowingly false or defamatory claims submitted for personal gain or unlawful advantage would not qualify as corruption reports.
Sources: Vesti Baku; Milli Majlis draft legislation.