The key facts

  • Participation in banned extremist, separatist and fundamentalist organizations is punishable by imprisonment of 5 to 10 years
  • Storage and making of extremist materials and attributes on first commission entails administrative liability
  • The term «religious extremism» in legislation has been replaced with the word «extremism»

What the new law changed

The President of Uzbekistan signed law No. ZRU-1185 of November 2, 2026, introducing amendments and additions to a number of legislative acts in order to increase the effectiveness of the fight against extremism. This was reported by the Ministry of Justice, the text of the law has been published in the national legislation database. According to the amendments to the Criminal Code, participation in extremist, separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organizations is now punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years.

Softening of penalties for participation in organizations

As UzNews.uz notes, previously participation in such organizations was punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment — the same as their creation. Now a milder penalty has been established for the less socially dangerous act — participation — than for creating or leading such organizations. Thus, the law differentiates measures of liability within this group of crimes.

Administrative liability for a first offense

Amendments to the Code of Administrative Liability introduce liability for storing, for the purpose of preparation or dissemination, materials imbued with the ideas of extremism, separatism or fanaticism and calling for mass riots, forced relocation of citizens or the creation of panic among the population. Also punishable is the making and storage, for the purpose of dissemination or display, of attributes and symbols of extremist and terrorist organizations. For such offenses, with confiscation of the item of the offense, citizens face a fine of 50 to 100 base calculation values, and officials — from 100 to 150 BRV or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. According to UzNews.uz, these measures apply if the offense is committed for the first time; criminal liability arises only upon a repeat offense after an administrative penalty.

Terminology and entry into force

In addition, the expression «religious extremism» in legislative acts has been replaced with the word «extremism». The law enters into force on the day of its official publication.