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Late-night targeted attacks against lone males in Azerbaijan are the most common crimes perpetrated against foreigners and often involve alcohol, the report on criminal situation and security in Azerbaijan published on the site of the OSAC Bureo of Diplomatic Security of the US State Department reads.

According to the reports that burglary and assault are the most common crimes committed against the Azerbaijani citizens. The foreigners can become the victim of the petty crimes like pickpocketing in populous or isolated places.

The report notes that some Western women have reported incidents of unwanted male attention, including groping and other inappropriate behavior, while walking on the streets alone. While the number of reported sexual assaults is statistically very low, they are likely underreported due to cultural stigmatization. In 2014, the Regional Security Office (RSO) was informed of three rape cases; one stalking case; one case in which the use of a rape drug was attempted, although the assault was thwarted; and one sexual assault case against U.S. citizens in Baku. The RSO is aware of instances in which men have forced their way into a female’s apartment in an apparent attempt to have sexual relations. These instances are believed to be partially the result of serious, cultural miscues.

Azerbaijan is a traditional cash society. However, the introduction of credit and bank cards has given rise to burgeoning crime targeting their usage, the report reads.

The statistics of crimes committed in 2014 is also provided, according to which the total number of crimes has been 24.607 (14 percent of which is a felony).

It is also noted that the roads are mainly in poor condition. Roads outside the city are poorly lit at night. Construction zones may or may not be marked or may be indistinguishable until the driver is upon them. Pedestrians contribute to the hazardous driving conditions by disregarding vehicles, crosswalks, and signals. Driving is risky. Traffic police enforce traffic laws inconsistently. Drivers do not pay attention to traffic regulations, signals, lane markings, pedestrians, or other drivers. Drivers often travel at extremely high speeds, and accidents are frequent and serious. Local authorities do not clear roadways of snow or ice, increasing the rate of accidents.

The police sometimes stop people and ask for documents that proof their identity, without which they can temporarily be detained. In such cases, bribery is common, according to the report.

As the report goes, in June 2014, local authorities arrested 20 people in Badamdar for being members of what was termed a “radical religious group.” The arrests coincided with a raid on the Lezgi Mosque in the historic core of Baku. The arrests were reported to be associated with the recruitment of foreign fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Terrorism rate is high.

The report recommends to be careful while traveling to village Nardaran that is located 30 kilometers from Baku, in Absheron peninsula.

“In early 2009, Nardaran was the site of numerous anti-American and anti-Israel protests. On January 21, 2015, protestors in Nardaran burned the flags of the U.S., France, and Israel in protest of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. The community has had several violent confrontations with the government over social and economic issues. The people of Nardaran tend to be suspicious of outsiders, including other Azeris, and have an anti-Western outlook,” the report reads.

The RSO is aware of one racially-based crime in which an African-American NGO worker was severely beaten. Azerbaijani society is not particularly tolerant for sexual minorities.

Since January 2013, there have been periodic demonstrations that are normally accompanied by a heavy police presence. Visitors should avoid demonstrations, as hostile elements within crowds can escalate the situation.

Periodic violence based on religion and ethnic differences is also registered in Azerbaijan. The regions of the country are more intolerant, the report reads.

According to the report some American citizens have reported being victims of crimes that occur late at night and in bars frequented by Westerners. “The crime occurs when a patron is approached by a young woman who asks the male individual to buy her a drink. After buying the woman a drink and talking for a while, the customer is presented with a bill for 250 AZN (U.S$300). When the customer protests, he is approached by several men, detained, and forced to pay the full amount under threat of physical violence,” the report reads.

The RSO recommends that U.S. citizens travel with a companion if possible, especially at night to carry a copy of their passport and visa at all times as the potential for crime is real.