Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - At the center of the discussion of the twelfth plenary session of the Senate was the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On amendments and additions to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of the Republic of Uzbekistan".

It was noted that in recent years the state has implemented significant reforms aimed at state protection of persons in the course of criminal proceedings. Especially, in the last 3-4 years, the head of state has adopted a number of decrees and resolutions in this direction, ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens in the judicial and legal sphere. This Law is aimed precisely at strengthening these reforms.

In the amendments of the first direction, provided for by the Law, when deciding the issue of jurisdiction of the investigation of a criminal case, first of all, attention is paid to the tasks and directions of activities of the investigating authorities, the experience formed in the system, the available forces and capabilities.

In particular, it is envisaged for the prosecutor’s office to conduct a preliminary investigation in criminal cases related to encroachment on the lives of citizens, the interests of society and the state, as well as other corruption and official crimes, and the internal affairs bodies - on criminal cases related to encroachment on health, property citizens, public order and security, state security bodies - in criminal cases related to encroachment on the constitutional order, sovereignty, territorial integrity and other interests of the country.

The amendments of the second direction, which are introduced by the Law, are aimed at further improving the procedure for preparing a case for consideration in court and provide for the introduction of amendments and additions to the Criminal Procedure Code related to the introduction of the institution of preliminary hearing.

On the basis of amendments to the third direction, the Criminal Procedure Code is supplemented with the norms concerning the new institution of “preliminary fixation of testimony” (deposition), according to which the court confirms the testimony, and the institution of the plea agreement strengthens the legal guarantees of the person in the criminal process.

This Law contributes to the provision of judicial and investigative activities in the country, protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals, a clear definition of the functions and main activities of the investigation and court authorities, prevention of bureaucracy among the investigative authorities in the investigation of the above types of criminal cases.

Senators approved the law.