Uzbekistan has officially implemented legislative amendments establishing strict criminal liability for violating the immunity and protection guarantees of specific high-ranking officials. The sweeping changes affect five key legislative acts, including the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, as well as regulations governing investigative operations. Critics and observers point out that these measures create substantial legal hurdles and extraordinary protections for the country's bureaucratic elite.

Under the newly introduced provisions, intentionally detaining a protected individual, forcing their appearance, or conducting unauthorized investigative actions against them can lead to restriction of freedom or imprisonment ranging from three to five years. In instances involving aggravating factors—such as collusion by a group of persons, use of violence, or falsification of evidence—the prison sentence may be extended from five to eight years, reflecting the heightened legal status afforded to these positions.

The legislation further institutes complex clearance procedures for executing any operational or investigative measures against protected persons. For employees of the presidential administration and their family members, investigative activities are largely barred and require explicit, written consent from the head of state. Authorities state that any evidence gathered in violation of these strict immunity protocols will be deemed legally inadmissible in judicial proceedings.

Another controversial aspect of the new law addresses compensation for damages caused by the administrative staff of the presidential administration while performing official duties. Such financial harm will be fully reimbursed from the state budget, with the state allegedly stripped of the right to recover these funds from the responsible officials through recourse claims. This mechanism effectively transfers the financial burden of administrative missteps directly onto taxpayers and the public treasury.

Source: podrobno.uz