Garib Mammadov, the Chairman of the State Committee for Lands and Cartography, has stated that most of municipalities working in Azerbaijan acts willfully and handle with the lands and land investment in Azerbaijan which have nothing to do with its territory and jurisdiction. Mr. Mammadov told Trend that despite the fact that boundaries of the territories of all the municipalities of the country are known, that maps have been compiled, there have been a lot of facts connected with illegal sale of lands.

“Some municipalities acts willfully. It is bad and inadmissible. For the first quarter of this year, criminal cases have been brought against dozens of municipalities,” said Mr. Garibov.

As a result of the measures taken last year, the illegal sale and leasing of 1559 hectares of lands were prevented. In the reporting period, the Justice Ministry received statements brought against 16703 to consider them administratively. As compared with 2005, this figure was by 65 % more. As a result of the corresponding measures, decisions connected with selling lands of 466 municipalities were annulled, with 22 out of them – changed. Suits were brought on the cancellation or changing of 48 decisions taken by different municipalities of the Country. Serious law infringements were noticed in the activity of 17 municipalities. Criminal cases were initiated by the State Prosecutor’s Office on the basis of the materials provided by the Justice Ministry of the Country. Here the following municipalities were referred: Khatai Municipality, Astara Municipality, Garayazi Municipality of Goychay District of Azerbaijan, and many others.

Notably, a total of 2375 Municipalities are currently working in the country.