The key facts

  • The law was signed by Shavkat Mirziyoyev; amendments are being made to the Criminal Code
  • The term for involving children in drug use has risen from 3–5 to 5–7 years, and with aggravating circumstances from 5–10 to 7–10 years
  • The fine for involving children in alcohol use has been raised from 100–200 to 150–250 BCU (66–110 million soums)

Law signed tightening penalties

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law introducing amendments to the Criminal Code providing for tougher penalties for involving children in antisocial behavior. The amendments concern involving minors in the consumption of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as other substances affecting intellectual and volitional activity.

Penalty for involving in alcohol use

For involving minors in the consumption of alcohol or substances affecting intellectual and volitional activity, after the application of an administrative penalty for similar actions, the fine has been increased from 100–200 BCU (44–88 million soums) to 150–250 BCU (66–110 million soums). Also provided are compulsory community work for a term of 360 to 400 hours, correctional labor for up to three years, and restriction or deprivation of liberty for a term of three to five years. Previously, the maximum term of imprisonment under this article was three years.

Narcotic substances and aggravating circumstances

For involving a minor in the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, or substances of a special category of potent substances, the term of imprisonment has been increased from 3–5 to 5–7 years. With aggravating circumstances — commission of the crime repeatedly, against two or more minors, on the territory of educational institutions, or if the actions resulted in a person's death or other grave consequences — the penalty will be from 7 to 10 years of imprisonment instead of the previous 5–10 years.