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Changes to Criminal Code hailed as "economic amnesty"

24 May 2016 15:30 (UTC+04:00)
Changes to Criminal Code hailed as "economic amnesty"

By Nigar Abbasova

Presidential decree on changes to the Criminal Code has been welcomed by public, who regarded it as an “economic amnesty”.

The changes envisage decriminalization of a number of deeds as well as mitigating punishments for certain violations.

Experts believe that the changes envisage more adequate punishments thus making them respective to the deed. Majority of experts call the decision an “economic amnesty”.

Commenting on the changes to the Criminal Code a chairman of the Center for economic and social development, Vugar Bayramov said that the changes will boost entrepreneurial activity in the country.

In his interview with Day.az the expert noted that the changes may only be positively assessed. “The process is a unique economic amnesty announced by the president,” he said.

The changes decriminalize certain deeds which do not pose a significant threat to the society. Criminal liability which was envisaged as a penalty for individuals committing certain violations was substituted by administrative sanctions which are considered to be more adequate and respective to the deed.

The decree also specifies changes to the amount of fees for a certain number of economic offences. In accordance with the changes, specific amounts of fee were substituted by the amount equal to the caused damage.

Bayramov mentioned that criminal liability for evading taxes in the size of 2,000 manats ($1,337) was unreasonable and inappropriate punitive measure. He also stressed that previous penalties were posing obstacles for the development of entrepreneurial and business activities in the country. “The changes will allow businessmen not to terminate activities of their enterprises due to some committed violations,” the expert said.

The decision is expected to give a stimulus to developing entrepreneurship, creating favorable conditions for business, and stimulating people to get engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

The changes also envisage the increase in the sum of limit for tax evasion, the reach of which leads to the criminal liability. “Tenfold increase in the sum of limit is a very positive fact,” Bayramov said. The expert also underlined that the possibility of further increase in the sum of limit is not excluded, as well.

The expert expressed his confidence that the decision will be accepted positively and give a stimulus to strengthening and further development of non-oil sector in the country.

“It is expected that the interference of the government into the entrepreneurial activity in the country will be reduced even more in the future,” he added

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