Nearly 63,000 convicted in Uzbekistan in 2025 as non-custodial penalties expand

Criminal courts across the country reviewed 63,177 criminal cases involving 79,554 individuals over the year. Of those convicted, 18,816 people received custodial sentences, marking a decline from 20,659 prison sentences handed down in 2024.

Overall, 63,340 individuals were convicted in 2025. Alongside the prison sentences, courts imposed non-custodial penalties on 43,531 people, while 993 defendants received suspended sentences. A total of 422 individuals were acquitted and rehabilitated.

Men accounted for the overwhelming majority of those convicted, with 55,829 male offenders compared to 7,511 women. Young people made up a significant share of those sentenced, totaling 23,973 individuals, including 2,431 minors. In addition, 2,830 convicted persons were aged over 60.

Judicial reforms and procedural safeguards led to a number of defendants being released or receiving lighter treatment. Courts ordered the release of 8,085 individuals directly from courtrooms after imposing penalties not involving imprisonment. In 15,992 cases, charges that had been unfoundedly brought by preliminary investigation bodies were either dropped or reclassified. Another 86 defendants received non-custodial sentences based on personal guarantees.

The use of alternative sentencing and early release mechanisms remained widespread. During the year, 35,572 prisoners were granted early conditional release, while the sentences of 11,421 individuals were replaced with lighter punishments. In addition, 13,224 people were exempted from criminal liability due to the effective application of the reconciliation mechanism.

Most criminal cases reviewed by courts involved fraud, violations of traffic safety and vehicle operation rules, theft, drug-related offenses without intent to distribute, embezzlement and misappropriation, document forgery, drug crimes involving intent to distribute, running brothels or acting as intermediaries in prostitution, cultivation of prohibited crops, and offenses involving intentional moderate bodily harm.

Higher courts also played an active role in reviewing convictions. Appellate, cassation, and supervisory courts examined 18,801 criminal cases involving 23,207 individuals. As a result, decisions issued by first-instance courts were overturned in relation to 892 people, while verdicts concerning 4,571 individuals were amended. Separately, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Chamber reviewed 915 cases involving 1,072 individuals under supervisory procedures, amending rulings for 325 defendants and overturning lower court decisions in 213 cases.

For comparison, in 2024 criminal courts considered 61,481 cases involving 77,995 individuals. That year, 20,659 people were sentenced to imprisonment, 39,763 received non-custodial penalties, and 723 defendants were acquitted and rehabilitated.