Uzbekistan introduces criminal liability for disclosing details of closed trials

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a law amending several legislative acts to strengthen confidentiality rules in closed court proceedings.

The Ministry of Justice reported that under the new law, individuals bound by confidentiality obligations will face criminal liability if they disclose information or details from a closed court hearing without prior authorization from the court.

The legislation stipulates that when a court decides to hold a case behind closed doors, it will issue a formal ruling to that effect. All participants in such hearings will be explicitly warned against unauthorized disclosure and required to sign a written pledge of non-disclosure.

The document further specifies that violations will be prosecuted under Article 239 of the Criminal Code, which addresses the disclosure of inquiry or preliminary investigation information.

Sanctions include a fine of up to 50 times the basic calculation unit (BCU), correctional labor for up to three years, restriction of liberty from one to three years, or imprisonment for a term of up to three years.