Your trusted source

A bullet hit the car of the US Deputy Chief of Mission to Azerbaijan, Dereck Hogan, in Baku, the US embassy informed Interfax. 

“AstraybullethittheDeputyChiefofMissionDereckHogan's car. This happened because of an incident near the place where the diplomat’s car was parked. Mr. Hogan was not in the car at that time, and none of the embassy employees got injuries,” the embassy said.

According to Hogan, the police has started an investigation into the incident. The bullet reportedly hit the diplomat’s car during an armed incident between the visitors of Bulag restaurant, which took place in the territory of Baku’s Badamdar suburb.

In connection with this incident, Haqqin.az writes that on April 21, at 21:30, a shooting started in the restaurant, which belongs to a Mashtagha suburb resident. According to preliminary data, there was a conflict among the restaurant’s visitors over a large amount of money: the participants of the incident met there on purpose in order to discuss the debt. One of the visitors, Samir, was armed, when he came to the meeting. Already near the restaurant, he opened fire injuring his friends (one was heavily injured receiving three shoots in his chest and hip.)

It is emphasized that the Sabail Regional Police Department employees received the information about the armed incident in the territory of their region from Dereck Hogan. 

The diplomat’s car was parked right in front of Bulag restaurant, and at that time, Hogan was visiting the ambassador, whose house is near the restaurant. Only the driver was in the embassy’s car, who, fortunately, was not injured.

It is also noted that criminalists found five shot barrels at the place of the incident. Later, the culprit of the conflict Samir pled guilty in State Police Department of Baku. Currently, Baku city prosecutor’s office is carrying out an investigation into the incident.

The US State Department published a report in 2015 regarding the dangerous criminal situation in Azerbaijan and threats to foreigners. It was particularly noted in the report that the most common crimes committed against Azerbaijani residents were robbery and attacks, while the most common crimes against foreigners in Azerbaijan were night attacks. Foreigners may also become victims of such crimes, as pickpocketing in crowded or isolated places.

Some Western women have reported incidents of unwanted male attention, including groping and other inappropriate behavior, while walking on the streets alone. 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.The RSO is aware of racially-based crimes in which African-American women were severely beaten. People in the regions are especially intolerant towards sexual minorities. The potential for crime is real, and the RSO recommended that U.S. citizens not to walk alone at night. Visitors should carry a copy of their passport and visa at all times, and do not carry much money.