Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 19 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
Azerbaijan's executive structures should pay more attention to combating corruption, MP and Anti-Corruption Commission member Bakhtiyar Aliyev said at the "Reforms in the Fight Against Corruption in Azerbaijan: Looking Ahead" conference organized by the commission and the Council of Europe in Baku.
"Survey results show the president's actions in this regard are appropriate and supported by the people. But this cannot be said with regards to the activities of the executive bodies," he said.
Criminal cases on corruption have increased in Azerbaijan.
Since January 2009, the structure has investigated 98 criminal cases against 156 individuals. These cases were sent to the court for consideration, said Anti-Corruption Commission head under General Prosecutor Kamran Aliyev.
In 2008, the structure reviewed and forwarded to courts 70 cases of corruption.
According to Aliyev, a survey conducted by NGOs in Azerbaijan revealed that 77.5 percent of the population trusts the anti-corruption policy of the presidential administration.
The number of incidents related to money laundering and drug trafficking has increased in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, he said.
" Due to the fact that the occupied Azerbaijani territories are left unchecked, the number of such cases has increased. International organizations should make greater efforts in combating these evils," Aliyev said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]