Vasmoy Bazaar

8th KM Trade Center, also known as the 8th KM market, Vosmoy market or Vüqar-2, officially Riko — Azerbaijan, is a large commercial facility located at 38 Cəmşid Naxçıvanski Street in the Nizami district of Baku. Situated near the "Neftçilər" metro station, the market is known as one of the largest and cheapest markets in Baku and has long been an important shopping place mainly for the city's low‑income population. A wide range of goods from food products to clothing, household items and building materials are sold there wholesale and retail.

During its operation the market has repeatedly faced criticism and official inspections concerning safety, sanitation and legal issues. In various years state authorities have taken measures due to violations of food safety, fire safety and hygiene standards, and the activity of some sections has been temporarily restricted. In particular, non‑compliance with quarantine rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as demolition works carried out in 2023–2024, caused public debate and dissatisfaction among entrepreneurs.

The "Vosmoy" market is also known in the context of disputed ownership and claims of violence. Issues of pressure on entrepreneurs, forced seizure of the market and its subsequent confiscation by the state have long been the subject of court cases and investigations. In 2017 the market was transferred to the state balance, its legal status was changed in subsequent years, and in July 2025 its management was handed over to "Riko Group" LLC.

Features

The 8th KM Trade Center is located at 38 Cəmşid Naxçıvanski Street in the Nizami district of Baku, Azerbaijan. The market is situated near the "Neftçilər" station of the Baku metropolitan area. It is one of the largest markets in Baku. Here a variety of products ranging from needles and pins to building materials and fruits and vegetables are bought and sold. Both wholesale and retail sales operate from early morning until night, and some sections operate 24 hours a day. Prices in the "Vasmoy" market are somewhat lower compared to other parts of Baku, which makes the market serve the city's poorer population.

In the 2000s, weapons sales were also carried out at the "Vasmoy bazar" with the permission of the executive authority. In the weapons sales shop labeled "Hunter goods," mainly rifles and shotguns were sold. Among the products sold were the Iraq-made "Tfunander," the Russia-made “MP512” 12 gauge, “Stocer” rifle, “Komando,” the Germany-made “Moizberg,” the Iraq-made “DD78” pump rifle, and the “Sut521” shotgun. In addition to new weapons, used weapons were also sold in the shop.

Safety and sanitation

Overall, the market's untidy and unsanitary characteristics have attracted attention. Even the very cheap sale of animal meat around the market has led to claims that it could be donkey meat.

In 2014, information spread that school uniforms without a hygienic certificate were being sold in the market. It was determined that the school clothing offered for sale was mainly Chinese-made and illegally produced in Baku basements.

In June 2019, the Baku Transport Agency implemented measures concerning stopping and parking rules in front of the "8th kilometer" market. The head of the agency's press service, Mais Agayev, stated that for several days, as a result of the measures taken, congestion has been eliminated and the number of vehicles parked on the side of the road has been significantly reduced.

On March 31, 2020, a nationwide quarantine was declared in the Republic of Azerbaijan. People were required to stay in private houses and apartments, in permanent or temporary residences. Nevertheless, after the quarantine, people continued to gather in the "Vasmoy" market. In addition to shoppers, there were also beggars, people playing backgammon, and families going to the market. Another noted factor was that disinfection work was not carried out in the "Vosmoy" market, and even waste was not removed from the market in a timely manner. At night, waste was thrown onto empty land, and one of the sellers considered those coming to the market as being at the level of "not wearing a medical mask."

Ildirim Mehdiyev, deputy head of the executive branch of the Nizami District Executive Power, reported that in August 2020 the clothing section of the market was closed due to the virus.

During a planned inspection conducted by the State Fire Control Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations at the "8th km Trade Center" on April 4, 2022, an administrative offense protocol was drawn up against the responsible person of the trade center for fire safety violations, and additional time was granted to rectify the deficiencies. Nevertheless, on October 14, 2022, during a repeat fire‑technical inspection of the same object, which belongs to the high‑risk group, conducted by the Service, numerous fire safety deficiencies were found to remain unaddressed. Because the issued requirement was not fulfilled, a subsequent administrative offense protocol was drawn up against the chairman of the trade center, Rüfət Qubad oglu Məmmədov, pursuant to Article 536.1 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan; a presentation on eliminating the causes and conditions that contributed to the administrative offence was addressed to the entrepreneur and the document was submitted to the trade center’s representative. The entrepreneur was informed that, if the identified fire‑safety violations are not corrected, the corresponding measures provided for in the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Regulation of Inspections in the Field of Entrepreneurship and Protection of Entrepreneurs' Interests" will be applied.