Prostitution in Azerbaijan is illegal [1] but common. During the Soviet era prostitution was uncommon except for those under the control of the KGB , many of whom were informants.
In the Badamdar district of the capital, Baku , there are many cafes where prostitutes solicit clients. In , over local residents held a protest against the situation.
The country is a sex tourism destination, particularly with men from Iran , the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking.
Women and children from Azerbaijan are subjected to sex trafficking within the country and in Malaysia , Turkey , Russia , and the UAE. Traffickers increasingly used the internet for recruitment. Azerbaijan is a destination country for sex trafficking victims from Ukraine , and in previous years China , Russia , Turkey, Turkmenistan , and Uzbekistan.
The Law on the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and article of the criminal code prohibit sex and lobar trafficking and prescribe penalties of five to 15 years' imprisonment. The government investigated twenty-two cases of sexual exploitation in The government prosecuted 30 defendants for sex trafficking and convicted 28, compared to 18 sex traffickers in Two traffickers received sentences between one to five years' imprisonment and the other traffickers received sentences between five to 10 years' imprisonment.
