Uzbekistan may decriminalize illegal possession and dissemination of religious materials

Uzbekistan plans to decriminalize the illegal production, possession, import or dissemination of religious materials, follows from the draft Criminal Code in a new edition, published on the portal for discussing draft normative-legal acts.

The drafters propose to decriminalize the illicit manufacture, possession, import or distribution of religious materials.

Under Article 244-3 of the Criminal Code, the illegal manufacture, possession or import of religious materials into the territory of Uzbekistan for the purpose of dissemination is punishable with a fine of 100 to 200 BCAs or punitive deduction of earnings for up to three years for the same acts after the imposition of an administrative penalty.