Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Azerbaijan will face financial penalties for violating legal requirements related to service provision and project implementation, particularly when funded from foreign sources.
According to amendments to the Administrative Offences Code signed by President Ilham Aliyev, a new Article 432-1 sets out specific fines for non-compliance.
If an NGO fails to submit contracts for services or works financed by foreign sources to the relevant state body within the legally established deadlines, officials will be fined between 1,500 and 2,500 manats, while legal entities will face fines of 5,000 to 7,000 manats.
Providing services, carrying out works, or receiving funds or material resources from foreign sources without a contract — or under an unregistered contract — will result in fines of 2,500 to 5,000 manats for officials and 8,000 to 15,000 manats for legal entities.
Banks and other payment service providers processing transactions under such unregistered contracts will also be penalized: 2,500 to 5,000 manats for officials and 5,000 to 8,000 manats for legal entities.
The amendments aim to tighten oversight of NGO activities involving foreign funding and ensure compliance with the country’s legislation on non-governmental organizations.
