Uzbekistan Senate strengthens penalties for border tunnels

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Senate of Uzbekistan considered at its 19th plenary session a law strengthening criminal liability for the construction and use of illegal underground tunnels crossing the state border. The law was approved by senators.

The need for the amendments is linked, among other factors, to the emergence of new forms of transnational crime. One such threat is the construction of underground tunnels crossing the state border and their subsequent illegal use.

During the discussion, it was reported that 12 illegal underground tunnels were identified along Uzbekistan’s state border between 2016 and 2025. They were used in attempts to illegally bring significant quantities of goods, currency and other valuables into the country. Senators noted that such cases pose a threat to the inviolability of the state border, economic security and national interests.

The amendments introduce separate criminal liability for the construction and operation of illegal tunnels and other underground infrastructure facilities crossing the state border. Liability is also established for organizing or financing such activities.

At the same time, penalties are being tightened for illegally crossing the state border and committing smuggling offenses using such structures.

The law also includes provisions based on the principle of humanity. A person who commits such an offense for the first time may be exempted from criminal liability if they voluntarily report the illegal tunnel to state authorities or actively assist in solving the crime. This provision applies provided that their actions do not contain elements of another crime.

Amendments have also been made to the Criminal Procedure Code. Under the new provisions, preliminary investigations into crimes related to the construction and use of illegal underground tunnels across the state border will be conducted by investigators of the State Security Service.

According to the senators, the new provisions provide an additional legal basis for promptly identifying and effectively investigating such crimes. The law is also aimed at strengthening efforts to combat transnational organized crime and enhancing national and economic security.

Senators emphasized that adoption of the law will contribute to ensuring the inviolability of the state border and further strengthening peace and stability in the country.