Citizens of Uzbekistan, who are deluded into banned organizations, may be exempted from criminal liability

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree “On improving the procedure for release from criminal liability of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who were deluded into terrorist, extremist or other banned organizations and groups”.

The decree is aimed at providing citizens, who are deluded to be included in banned organizations and groups, including those who are outside of Uzbekistan, who have realized the illegality of their actions and who have embarked on the path of correction, the opportunity to return to their homeland, their families and peaceful life.

The head of Uzbekistan formed the Republican interdepartmental commission to consider appeals of citizens of Uzbekistan, who by delusion turned out to be members of terrorist, extremist or other banned organizations and groups. General prosecutor of Uzbekistan Otabek Murodov became the head of the commission.

On 1 November 2018, an order is introduced according to which citizens of Uzbekistan, who have been deluded into the structure of prohibited organizations, are exempted from criminal liability on the basis of the commission’s conclusion.

In the event that the commission passes a negative opinion, all circumstances are considered in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Citizens of Uzbekistan may be exempted from criminal liability in accordance with the decree in case they:

• personally showed themselves to be guilty, sincerely repented of their deeds and took the path of correction;
• actively contributed to the disclosure of criminal activities and other unlawful acts;
• were involved in the ranks of banned organizations by deception;
• were not ideological and spiritual leaders of banned organizations;
• did not take part in hostilities and commit sabotage and subversive acts;
• did not undergo special or military training in proscribed organizations, training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities;
• did not travel or move for terrorist purposes;
• did not participate in the financing of international terrorism;
• erroneously or without intent and purpose of dissemination in information and communication facilities stored materials containing terrorist, extremist or other destructive ideas.

Applications for repentance in the deed and the appearance with the guilt of citizens, who by delusion turned out to be members of prohibited organizations abroad, are submitted to the diplomatic representations of Uzbekistan at their place of residence or law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan.

Repeated appeal of a person previously released from criminal liability under this decree and again committed a crime related to participation in the activities of prohibited organizations is not subject to review.

Decisions adopted by the commission within its authority are binding on all state bodies and organizations. The working body of the commission is the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The document notes that more than 18,000 citizens who repented of their deeds and returned to a peaceful way of life were removed from registration of persons inclined to participate in the activities of banned organizations in 2017.

At the same time, more than 10 thousand of them received assistance in employment, social support and establishment of entrepreneurial activities.