Restrictions on Entry of Nonresident Cars to Baku Contravenes Constitution - Expert

The State Traffic Police in Baku continue action against drivers of vehicles registered in the provinces. The ban on entry of these cars entered into force on 15 September. Under the new rules, from 7.00 to 22.00, the entry of vehicles with nonresident numbers to Baku is banned. However, many drivers of cars, in fact, living in Baku, are dissatisfied with this measure.

The Head of the Public Relations Department of Traffic Police Kamran Aliyev told reporters that drivers of cars registered in the regions, but used on the power of attorney in Baku, should reregister the vehicles.

"From now on the use of cars registered in the provinces by residents of Baku is prohibited. The driver has to reregister the car and get a new number," Aliyev said.

However, the lawyer Alasgar Mammadli said the ban is illegal. The Code of Administrative Offences and the Law on Road Traffic Rules have no prohibition of the kind.

Such restrictions were introduced during the European Games, and then they were unconstitutional and discriminatory. This was a violation of Article 25 (equality before the law) of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, said the lawyer.

Note that drivers of non-resident vehicles are offered to leave their cars parked at the entrance to Baku. -16D-