Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed amendments to the Criminal Code, expanding the list of offenses related to intentional minor bodily harm.

These changes were passed by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on 7 May and approved by the Senate on 10 July.

Article 109 of the Criminal Code now includes penalties for intentional minor bodily harm committed under the following circumstances:

a) Based on religious prejudice;

b) By a group of individuals, a member of an organized group, or in its interests;

c) With the use of weapons or objects that could be used as cold weapons.

Such actions will now be punishable by restriction of freedom for a period of 1 to 2 years or imprisonment for the same period.

Penalties for intentional minor bodily harm under other circumstances remain unchanged: a fine of 25 to 50 basic estimated values (BEVs), corrective labor for up to 2 years, restriction of freedom for up to 1 year, or imprisonment for up to 1 year.

Additionally, actions involving intentional minor bodily harm that did not lead to temporary health impairment or slight permanent loss of work capacity, if committed after an administrative penalty for similar actions, have been decriminalized. Previously, this offense carried a fine of up to 25 BEVs, community service for up to 240 hours, or corrective labor for up to 1 year.

Now, if the same act is repeated within a year after an administrative penalty, the offender will face a fine of 5 to 25 BEVs or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

These changes have been added to Article 52 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

Furthermore, the law expands the list of administrative offenses that can be settled through reconciliation. Reconciliation is now possible for petty theft (Article 61 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) and damage to internal vehicle equipment (Article 12-1 of the Code), provided the accused admits guilt, reconciles with the victim, and compensates for the damage caused.

These amendments aim to ensure a peaceful and prosperous life for the population and improve the country’s crime situation.