AZE.US
Aggressive behavior in public places, including shouting, insults and open disrespect toward others, can lead to administrative liability in Azerbaijan, a lawyer has warned.
Lawyer Nariman Aliyev told Patrul.az that if a person shouts at strangers in the street, uses offensive language, harasses people or behaves aggressively in a way that disturbs public order, such actions may in some cases be treated as petty hooliganism.
According to Aliyev, the issue is regulated by Article 510.1 of Azerbaijan’s Code of Administrative Offenses. The article covers actions that violate public order and show clear disrespect for society, as long as they are not accompanied by violence, threats of violence, or damage to property.
The lawyer said such behavior may be punished by a fine of 50 to 100 manats ($29-$59). Depending on the circumstances of the case and the offender’s conduct, administrative arrest for up to 15 days may also be applied.
However, Aliyev stressed that not every argument or raised voice automatically becomes an offense. Each case must be assessed separately, taking into account the intensity of the behavior, the person’s intent, the location, the reaction of others and whether public order was actually disturbed.
If insults are made in a public place, involve obscene language and create a conflict situation that affects people around, the incident may become grounds for a complaint to police.
Aliyev advised citizens not to escalate such situations or enter into physical confrontation. He said evidence can be important in such cases, including video recordings, witness statements or footage from security cameras.
He also recommended contacting police immediately if the person’s behavior involves insults, threats, harassment or a clear disturbance of public peace.
AZE.US