Arrests of the heads of regions are not a step in the fight against corruption

***

-One former and one current head of the executive branch in Azerbaijan were arrested on corruption charges. Is it possible that the government is taking serious steps to combat corruption?

- The recent arrests in Azerbaijan are local in nature. That is, the heads of the executive branch of different regions were detained for their crimes. However, the problem is that crimes occur in many regions of Azerbaijan. Journalists constantly write about this, and even the Accounts Chamber contain many facts about the misappropriation of budget funds. Some officials commit crimes but, naturally, the executive branch is behind them. There are hundreds of facts about bribery and corruption. Citizens complain, turn to the media. In the districts there is sufficient evidence of extortion, bribery in executive bodies, and crimes committed by businesspersons and other persons patronized by the authorities. These are very common facts. I do not want to look for any other meaning in recent arrests. However, they cannot be considered an important step in the fight against corruption. Because the changes should be primarily in the legislation and reforms in the judicial system are necessary. In other words, the legal framework for these reforms must first be created and then implemented. The most important issue here, of course, is legal and judicial reform. The fight against corruption occurs in countries where there is an independent judiciary. Anti-corruption courts and anti-corruption prosecutors are being created there. Compared to all this, the arrest of three people in Azerbaijan is a small step. Even ministers were arrested in Azerbaijan in 2005. Then it was also said that these arrests were carried out as part of the fight against corruption.

-It is interesting that all this is happening against the backdrop of reforms, as well as structural and personnel changes declared by the Azerbaijani authorities. Do you think the government is moving to a new political rhetoric?

- The context of what is happening is interesting. There is a struggle within the government. President Ilham Aliyev is changing the form of government. The form of government was oligarchic. In other words, it was a client-oriented form. There were individual oligarchs, ministers and officials, and there were regions under their influence. They were appointed by the executive heads of these regions. This form has now been rejected and submitted to managers. Azerbaijan is now considered as a single company. Family loyalty prevails here, especially to the first lady. In addition to all this, some modern management skills are required. That is the difference. However, we cannot say how these people will work after the appointment, and after a few years.

At times, we have seen that our government policies have changed frequently. In 2009, there was a similar reformatory rhetoric. At this time, world oil prices fell sharply. At the same time, such rhetoric was after the Arab spring - public services appeared in ASAN, etc. Then there was perhaps a reform. However, when we talk about reform, we mean systematic changes. Please note that we do not see such changes right now. The policy of our government, as a rule, is that they raise one problem, then forget about it, and focus on the other. I mean, what is happening is not news; just the form is a little different. Since previous options are no longer available, they are thinking of new forms. The government is also thinking about new forms, presenting what has been done before as a new form that will be perceived as innovation and reform. However, in essence, these are not radical reforms.

- Why did this business begin with the heads of the executive branch?

- Because executive bodies are the most corrupt structures with deep-rooted bribery. A new form is being introduced. It does not, as before, collect money and transfer it upstairs. The country has a difficult socio-economic situation, and these problems in the regions come to Baku. People come to Baku with their problems. Every day in the country there is a protest, albeit a small one. Protests are taking place in front of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Presidential Administration. Independent media in Azerbaijan and social networks are not able to cover all these issues. However, the authorities all see this very well. Therefore, these working methods are changing from the point of view of the authorities. Now they punish those who do not comply with the new form of activity. Of course, not all such people will be arrested. However, they arrested three so that others could learn. Next year they will gradually change the heads of the districts that held these posts before. They are also punished for not working as before, but for switching to a new form of activity. Of course, they can be explained. If they want, they will immediately change the previous method of work. The authorities do not have a civilized management method to tell officials how to work in compliance with the laws. That is why they use such methods. If the law were properly implemented and the law enforcement agencies performed their duties properly, and if all the legal and regulatory frameworks were implemented, the law would be above all, then the process would not take so much time. That is why they do this, resorting only to local punishments, to show others and create precedents. As I said, there are no more oligarchs in the country patronizing the regional executive branch. Everything will now be directly controlled by the presidential administration. This system is complex. How is this going to happen? We cannot say this yet.

- Some experts say that the pre-election show is taking place; others believe that part of the reforms is taking place, while others think that the authorities divert public attention from what is happening in Malta. There is a version of the debut of the new head of the State Security Service; they also believe that former teammates are being beaten. Which version do you think is the most likely?

-Azerbaijani public, activists and media exaggerate the problem of Malta. Because these are all probabilities that are always there. What is happening in the country has nothing to do with what is happening in Malta. If there was a crime in Malta and the crime is solved, it will certainly be difficult for our authorities. However, not in Azerbaijan, but outside of Azerbaijan. That is, internationally. If the problem gets deeper, the country may even face sanctions. However, what is happening now is not related to Malta. The new head of the State Security Service (Ali Nagiyev) is not able to do it all by himself. This is done in consultation with the president. If the new head of the State Security Service is given such an opportunity, he will arrest dozens and control them, creating even more scandalous problems than the former Minister of National Security. All this is specifically managed by Ilham Aliyev and organized to provide a new form of government.

- Will officials become more careful in their corruption actions?

- As I said, these steps are also aimed at intimidating other officials. You can continue, but this is a local format. In general, there will be no decisive steps, the arrest of a large number of officials. However, locally, 1-2 people can be arrested. As for the arrest, now there are reasons for the arrest of dozens of officials. Of course, not everyone will be arrested. However, there is the problem of bullying others. The old form of government is already behind. This method is very displeasing. Authorities are aware of this. Therefore, they want to eliminate this method. Time will tell if this step is useful. However, it seems to me that there will be no benefit, even if they replace all the heads of the executive branch. Because the attitude to subordinates in power is different. Executive management has flaws. In the end, the presidential administration cannot control this. To do this, local executive bodies must report in one form or another. The best way to do this is to have elected bodies in the regions. Such authorities should be accountable to them. There should be some responsibility to parliament.

- What is missing to fight corruption? What steps should be taken to combat corruption seriously?

- First of all, there should be a legislative base for the fight against corruption. The current legislation of Azerbaijan does not provide serious opportunities to fight corruption. Registries should be open. The register of real estate and the register of beneficiaries of commercial organizations should be open to the public. There should be a declaration of income for officials. These reports must be submitted by them annually. Such a system should work like a clock. Law enforcement must keep this under control. Then society itself will be able to control power. In addition, legal reforms are needed to combat corruption. Judicial independence must be ensured. As I said, anti-corruption courts and anti-corruption bodies must be created, as in other countries. You need to start with them in order to fight corruption. Parliament also has an important role to play in this process. The dissolved parliament could not fulfill even 5% of this work. Time will tell if the newly elected parliament can do all this.

I have very few hopes. If there were political will, reforms would begin earlier. Even with political will, interference in the upcoming parliamentary elections is unacceptable. People should have the opportunity to choose real deputies. If you have real legislators, then it is worth talking about the fight, then you can talk about organizing the fight against corruption. At least if a large part of the parliament is elected legally, then we can hope for its effectiveness. Parliament should reflect the balance of real political forces in the country. If this does not happen, parliament will not become the driving force of reform.