Uzbekistan changed the approach to punishment for extremism.
Shevkat Mirziyov signed a law amending the criminal law and other regulations regulating the fight against extremism.
One of the main innovations is the division of responsibility between the organizers of the banned organizations and the ordinary participants. Previously, both could receive the same sentence - from five to fifteen years in prison. Now, participation in extremist, separatist, fundamentalist and other prohibited organizations is punishable by five to ten years in prison. Therefore, the maximum period for participants was reduced by five years.
At the same time, the law introduces administrative penalties for a first violation related to the promotion of prohibited ideas. This is the production and storage of materials for the purpose of distribution if they promote extremism, separatism or fundamentalism, call for pogroms and forced displacement of people, or aim to cause panic. The distribution of symbols and accessories of extremist organizations and terrorist organizations, as well as their production and storage for display, is also prohibited.
For such actions, confiscation of materials and a fine of 50 to 100 basic calculated values - from 22 to 44 million are given. For officials, the fine will be between 100 and 150 BRV, i.e. up to 66 million. Instead of a fine, they may face administrative detention for 15 days.
The changes also affected the very definition of extremism. The term "religious extremism" was removed from the legislation, leaving the general concept. The Senate explained this by wanting not to associate extremism with any specific religion and to apply a uniform legal approach.
At the same time, they clarified which actions pertain to extremism.