Azerbaijan parliament approves new fines for violence against children and AI fakes

Azerbaijan’s parliament has approved amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code introducing new fines and penalties, including for violence against children, begging and the distribution of fake content generated with artificial intelligence.

Under the amendments, violence against children will be punishable by a 200 manat fine, while concealing such cases or failing to take action may result in fines of up to 600 manat.

Begging will be classified under a separate article and punished by a fine of 100-200 manat or detention for up to 10 days. Involving minors will carry a fine of up to 500 manat or detention for up to 15 days.

The amendments also introduce fines of 80-150 manat for AI-generated content that is not properly labelled.

Creating and distributing AI-generated fake content without a person’s consent will be punishable by a fine of 3,000-7,000 manat or up to three years in prison. In more serious cases, the penalty may rise to five years, and up to seven years if pornographic content is involved.

In addition, illegal activities by private bailiffs will carry a 1,500 manat fine, while misuse of state funds will be punishable by a fine equal to 100% of the damage caused, with possible restriction of liberty for up to three years.