Azerbaijani law enforcement and security agencies continued to exhibit wide discretion in determining what activities qualify as “terrorism” or “extremism,”, the State Department's country reports on terrorism noted.

"Azerbaijani law enforcement and security services have demonstrated adequate capacity to detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in Azerbaijan’s territory," the report said.

However, according to the State Department, "law enforcement and security agencies continued to exhibit wide discretion in determining what activities qualify as “terrorism” or “extremism,” leaving political opponents and religious activists vulnerable to prosecution, detention, and physical mistreatment. Such individuals have been especially vulnerable to physical abuse by the MIA’s organized crime unit.