Lost personal items are a common issue in public transport, cafés, and other public spaces, where notices often warn that establishments are not responsible for forgotten belongings.
In daily rush and fatigue, people frequently leave behind documents or personal items that may carry both practical and sentimental value.
But is there an official mechanism in Azerbaijan for finding lost items and returning them to their owners?
According to authorities, such a system does exist.
Where Found Documents End Up
Clarifying the process, the state-owned company Təmiz Şəhər said that all found documents and valuables are transferred to law enforcement authorities.
Speaking to Bizim.Media, Orkhan Jabbarli, head of the company’s press service, explained that one of Təmiz Şəhər’s operational facilities is the Balakhani Solid Waste Sorting Plant. During waste sorting, employees regularly come across personal documents and other valuable items.
“These include identity cards, student IDs, diplomas, and even vehicle license plates,” Jabbarli said. “All such items are handed over to the Lost and Found Bureau operating under the Baku City Main Police Department. The return of documents to their owners takes place with police participation.”
Public Requests and the “Find and Return” Initiative
Jabbarli noted that citizens often contact Təmiz Şəhər through social media and online platforms in search of lost documents.
“If the documents are in our possession, we inform citizens that they must apply through the police to retrieve them,” he said. “The ‘Find and Return’ initiative is designed to assist in locating lost documents, but the process is carried out strictly in cooperation with law enforcement.”
What Is Found Most Often
According to the company, the most commonly recovered items include personal identification documents, student cards, diplomas, and other official papers.
There is no monthly statistical breakdown of recovered items. Instead, documents are transferred to the relevant authorities as soon as they are found, while annual figures are recorded and documented in accordance with regulations.
“Our goal is to act as quickly as possible and ensure that found items are handed over without delay,” Jabbarli added.
