Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has established special procedures for handling cases involving individuals who enjoy legal inviolability or immunity, including rules governing criminal prosecution, detention, surveillance and penalties for violations. The relevant Law No. ZRU-1182 was adopted on 14 October 2026, according to the Legal Information channel.
The law defines the categories of individuals covered by these protections, the procedures for holding them accountable and the penalties for violating their legally protected rights.
Those entitled to inviolability include deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Human Rights Commissioner (ombudsman), the Children's Ombudsman, judges, prosecutors, investigators, inquiry officers, lawyers, members of the Central Election Commission and presidential candidates for the duration of their respective status.
Management-level employees of the Presidential Administration retain inviolability for five years after leaving office in relation to actions or omissions unrelated to the performance of their duties in the administration.
Immunity also applies to the President of Uzbekistan, officials of the Presidential Administration and members of their families, as well as management-level employees of the administration, in relation to decisions, actions or omissions connected with the performance of official duties.
Members of parliament are protected by immunity in connection with their votes and the expression of their opinions.
The law prohibits the detention of individuals with inviolability and their forcible delivery to law enforcement agencies, except in the case provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 221 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which permits detention for up to three hours.
Criminal prosecution of individuals covered by these protections requires the consent of the relevant chamber of parliament, the president or another authorised body.
For deputies, consent must be obtained from the relevant parliamentary chamber. In the case of management-level employees of the Presidential Administration, written consent from the president is required following a submission by the Prosecutor General.
Evidence obtained in violation of the requirements governing inviolability and immunity is deemed inadmissible and must be excluded from case materials.
Administrative liability proceedings against individuals entitled to inviolability will follow the procedure established by a new Chapter XXIII³ of the Code of Administrative Liability. Administrative penalties may not be imposed through judicial proceedings on individuals who enjoy immunity.
Telephone conversations involving individuals with inviolability may be intercepted, and their correspondence monitored, only on the basis of a court ruling or written authorisation from the Prosecutor General.
The law also introduces penalties for knowingly unlawful detention, forcible delivery or investigative actions involving a person with inviolability, as well as for ordering or instructing others to carry out such actions.
These offences are punishable by restriction of liberty or imprisonment for three to five years, together with disqualification from holding certain rights.
If the offence is committed repeatedly, by a group acting in prior collusion, through violence or threats, or involves the fabrication of evidence, arrest or criminal prosecution, the punishment increases to five to eight years in prison.
In addition, damage caused by decisions, actions or omissions of officials and management-level employees of the Presidential Administration in the performance of their official duties will be compensated from the State Budget. No recourse claim may be brought against these individuals for such compensation.
The law enters into force on the date of its official publication.
