Azerbaijan Ranks Among Safest Countries in Global Terrorism Index 2025

Azerbaijan has been recognized as one of the safest countries in the world, ranking 90th among 163 countries on the Global Terrorism Index 2025 (GTI).

This reaffirms Azerbaijan’s status as one of the safest countries in the world in terms of terrorist threats. With 0.233/10 index, the country improved its position from 89th place in 2024.

This year's publication recorded no terrorist-related incidents, casualties, injuries, or hostage situations in the country.

In the Caspian region, Russia and Iran ranked 16 and 18, respectively. A total of 13 terrorist-related incidents, 197 fatalities, and 658 injuries were reported in Russia. In Iran, incidents stood at 27, fatalities at 163, injuries at 309, and hostages at 6.

No terrorism impact was established in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s western neighbor Armenia ranked 79th with 0.72/10 index, reporting one terrorist-related incident.

Azerbaijan’s positive ranking in the report comes thanks to its effective security measures, stability, and commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. Despite Azerbaijan’s location in a highly sensitive and complex geopolitical region, the country has successfully neutralized all kinds of internal and external threats in timely and efficient counter-terrorism measures placed by law enforcement agencies.

In February, the State Security Service and the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan conducted a major counter-terrorism operation to dismantle a radical extremist group linked to international terrorist organizations.

The group reportedly planned to attack northern Gusar region, bordering Russia, and created underground hideouts. Explosives, weapons, including illegally procured detonators and flammable materials, and a terrorist flag were uncovered at the hideouts.

Six members of the group were charged under the Azerbaijani Criminal Code for terrorist activities, use of firearms, and radical extremism. They subsequently were put in pre-trial detention.

The largest inland counterterrorism measure in Azerbaijan was conducted in September 2023 in the Karabakh region against the illegal armed formations of the Armenian military and the separatist entity. The one-day campaign from September 19 to 20, 2023, saw the complete disarmament of the illegal military groups and self-dissolution of the Armenia-backed separatist junta.

Counter-terrorism in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has consistently worked to align its national legislation with international legal frameworks in various aspects of counterterrorism. Baku has ratified all 12 international conventions related to combating terrorism.

The Law on the Fight against Terrorism from 1999 provides the legal foundation for relevant state institutions to implement effective counter-terrorism measures. Azerbaijan's legal framework also includes the Law on the Prevention of the Legalization of Criminally Obtained Funds or Other Property and the Financing of Terrorism, which came into effect on January 31, 2023.

Azerbaijan is a member of MONEYVAL, a permanent monitoring body of the Council of Europe for assessing compliance with the principal international standards to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The country’s Financial Monitoring Service plays a key role in countering money laundering and terrorist financing. Its operations have been restructured to address the fundamental standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under the OECD framework.

The Financial Monitoring Service is a member of the Egmont Group, which facilitates and prompts the exchange of information, knowledge, and cooperation amongst member Financial Intelligence Units across the world.

Azerbaijan’s counter-terrorism efforts go beyond law enforcement and include preventive strategies aimed at curbing extremist and radical ideologies that could lead to terrorism. Additionally, national measures encompass social initiatives designed to rehabilitate individuals at risk, support their families, and facilitate their reintegration into society.

Legislative reforms are complemented by institutional advancements, strengthening versatile coordination in counter-terrorism efforts.

The key national bodies responsible for combating terrorism include the State Security Service, Foreign Intelligence Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and State Border Service. Alongside these law enforcement agencies, the State Committee on Work with Religious Entities, the State Committee on Family, Women, and Child Affairs, and other relevant institutions contribute to preventive and social initiatives as part of a holistic government approach.

The State Department’s 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism identified Azerbaijan as a strong international counterterrorism partner based on the country’s active work to detect and defeat terrorist efforts to move people, money, and materials across its land and maritime borders.

Azerbaijani law enforcement has arrested and prosecuted suspected terrorists over the years and prosecuted returning Azerbaijanis that had been incorporated into terrorist operations outside of Azerbaijan.

According to the report, Azerbaijan maintained membership in the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international bodies, as well as supports NATO CT initiatives as one of the Alliance’s Partnership for Peace countries.