A disturbing scandal has erupted around a popular Baku “fear house” attraction after multiple videos surfaced showing children being manhandled, dragged by their hair and pushed by adult performers.
The controversy began after footage emerged of a 15-year-old girl allegedly subjected to physical aggression inside the “Phobia Games” attraction – an entertainment venue that markets itself as an adrenaline-pumping horror maze.
But new videos reveal that the teenager’s case may only be the beginning.
“They pulled her by the hair”: More families come forward
Several parents have now contacted the outlet claiming their children were also mistreated, shoved or physically intimidated inside the venue.
In the videos provided to the newsroom, frightened minors can be seen:
being dragged by their hair,
pushed and cornered,
trembling in fear,
and trying to escape dark corridors while adults loom over them.
One parent described the venue not as an entertainment space but as a “real house of terror.”
Teen fainted after hitting an open shelf – doctors put 11 stitches in her head
The scandal intensified after a separate incident involving 15-year-old Nigar Mustafayeva, who suffered a head injury inside the same “Phobia Games” attraction.
Security footage reportedly shows Nigar and her friend running in panic before crashing into an open metal shelf.
The teenager lost consciousness, and doctors later put 11 stitches in her scalp.
Her family says the venue never contacted them, never checked on her condition, and never apologized.
Venue denies all wrongdoing: “These accusations are false”
“Phobia Games” has rejected the allegations in a public statement, insisting:
no staff member touched or pushed any child,
the alleged victims claimed to be 18 and signed consent forms,
and online accusations are “baseless and do not reflect reality.”
They claim Nigar’s fall was due to “panic and carelessness,” and that they even offered to pay medical expenses – an offer the family denies.
The family has filed a police complaint.
Psychologists warn: “This is not a game – this is real trauma”
Clinical psychologist Rovshan Najafov told Musavat.com that such extreme “fear games” can cause profound psychological damage to developing teenagers:
“The teenage brain interprets sudden aggression, darkness and pressure as real danger, not entertainment.”
He warns of long-term consequences:
nightmares,
panic episodes,
fear of darkness and confined spaces,
trust issues,
emotional shutdown or aggression.
“If symptoms last for weeks,” he said, “it may indicate post-traumatic stress disorder requiring professional intervention.”
Doctors: Sudden fear can trigger heart issues – even in healthy people
Cardiologist Jale Abbasova warns that these types of shocks may harm the heart even in otherwise healthy children:
“Sudden fear weakens the heart. This is not entertainment – it overloads the brain and creates manic or aggressive tendencies.”
Professor Idris Khalilov echoed the warning, saying excessive adrenaline can trigger arrhythmia, hypertension, diabetic spikes, and even sudden cardiac death.
How safe are Baku’s “fear houses”? No regulations, no standards, no oversight
Unlike many Western countries – where fear attractions face:
strict age limits,
no-contact rules,
trained staff,
and mandatory safety protocols –
Azerbaijan’s fear houses operate in a legal vacuum.
There is no licensing, no official safety requirements, and no regulatory oversight.
Each venue “sets its own rules” – and children pay the price.
One teenager injured today… another tomorrow?
The scandal has raised a bigger question:
How many such incidents have gone unreported?
Parents are demanding:
strict age limits,
immediate regulation,
routine inspections,
and criminal accountability for violations.
For now, “Phobia Games” remains at the center of a storm – and public anger is only growing.
