Uzbekistan increases liability for illegal land seizures

The Criminal Code and the Administrative Responsibility Code have been amended accordingly. In particular, Article 200-2 of the Administrative Responsibility Code has been supplemented.

The document states that illegal confiscation of land is punishable by a fine of 100-150 BCAs.

“The same offense involving the demolition of buildings, other structures, plantations or their parts on the land to be seized, without prior and full compensation of the property, as well as for the loss suffered is punishable by a fine of 150-200 BCAs,” the document states.

Minor damage may lead to a fine of 30 to 10 BCAs.

In addition, Article 229-5 of the Criminal Code has been supplemented.

Now the illegal seizure of land after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same acts shall be punishable by a fine of 200 to 250 BCAs or by mandatory community service (300-360 hours) or punitive deduction of earnings for up to two years.

Illegal seizure of land, entailing the demolition of buildings, other structures, plantations or their parts on the land to be seized, without prior and full reimbursement of the property, as well as the losses suffered by its owner due to such an exemption after the application of an administrative penalty for the same acts or with the infliction of significant damage, shall lead to a fine of 250 to 300 BCAs or mandatory community service from 360 to 480 hours or punitive deduction of earnings from two to three years, or restriction of liberty from one to three years, or incarceration for up to three years with deprivation of a certain right.

The same acts committed with the infliction of major damage are punished by a fine of 300 to 500 BCAs or by restriction of liberty for three to five years, or by incarceration for three to five years with deprivation of a certain right. If the same acts cause danger to the general public or particularly serious damage, then punishment is incarceration for five to eight years, with deprivation of a certain right.

The Act entered into force on January 15.