Officials who interfere in court cases may now face up to 5 years in prison

Officials who interfere in court cases can now face up to 5 years in prison

With a law that entered into force in Uzbekistan on September 12, liability for interference in court cases has been strengthened.

Through the law, an amendment was made to the Criminal Code clarifying criminal liability measures for interfering in the resolution of court cases, while an addition was made to the Code of Administrative Responsibility establishing administrative liability measures for contempt of court in the form of violating order in the court building.

According to this, Article 236 of the Criminal Code (interference in investigation or resolution of court cases) is now set forth as follows:

Interference in investigation or resolution of court cases, that is, unlawfully influencing an inquirer, investigator, or prosecutor in various forms with the aim of preventing a comprehensive, full, and objective study of a case, or unlawfully influencing a judge with the aim of achieving an unjust verdict, decision, ruling, or order, shall be punished by correctional labor for up to 3 years, or restriction of liberty from 1 to 3 years, or deprivation of liberty for up to three years.

Interference in the resolution of court cases, that is, unlawfully influencing a judge or a people's assessor in various forms with the aim of preventing a comprehensive, full, and objective consideration of a specific case, or achieving an unjust verdict, decision, ruling, or order, shall be punished by correctional labor for up to 3 years, or restriction of liberty from 1 to 3 years, or deprivation of liberty for up to 3 years.

If the actions provided for in part one or two of this article are committed by an official, they shall be punished by deprivation of a certain right and restriction of liberty from 3 to 5 years, or deprivation of liberty from 3 to 5 years.

According to the addition made to Article 180 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility (contempt of court), intentional evasion of appearing in court by a witness, victim, plaintiff, defendant, or other persons participating in the case, or the failure of these persons and other citizens to obey the order of the presiding judge, or the violation of order during a court session or in the court building, shall be deemed contempt of court and shall result in a fine from 1 to 3 times the BCA (Base Calculating Amount).

This law was adopted by the Legislative Chamber on February 24 and approved by the Senate on May 19. As noted in the document, the law serves to ensure the independence of the court and the immunity of judges, and to prevent any interference in their activities.