Uzbekistan cracks down on civil disorders, targets financial backers

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed into law a regulation introducing penalties for the financing of civil disorders, as reported by Gazeta.uz. The regulation was introduced based on the experience of «neighboring countries,» where organizers of such events were allegedly paid for their activities.

A sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison will be imposed for financing disorders involving devastation, arson and resistance to authorities in Uzbekistan. According to an explanatory note, this criminal rule is necessary «based on modern realities,» in which, in «neighboring countries,» civil disorders have, in several cases, been financed by third parties.

Furthermore, the document states that the civil disorder organizers from «neighboring countries» have undergone special training. Training in committing acts of devastation, including practical skills, knowledge of how to use weapons, explosives, poisons and other hazardous agents, would result in a fine ranging from approximately $8,700 to $17,433, up to three years of community service or imprisonment for five to seven years.

However, if an individual who committed such a crime voluntarily reports to the authorities about the preparation of civil disorders, they will be exempt from liability.

The law entered into force yesterday, on March 27.

Uzbekistan borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It is unclear which countries the law refers to as the «neighboring countries» where someone allegedly financed and trained the perpetrators of civil disorder.

The last time Uzbekistan experienced civil disorder was in June 2022. At the time, citizens of Karakalpakstan — an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan — took to the streets to protest against proposed amendments to the country’s constitution, which deprived the autonomous republic of its right to secede from Uzbekistan. Following the protests, President Mirziyoyev revoked the initiative. According to several independent media outlets, at least 18 residents of the autonomous republic died in clashes with the police.

Last fall, Kursiv.media reported that Uzbekistan strengthened domestic violence penalties, following Kazakhstan’s lead.