According to unconfirmed date, Uzbekistan authorities are planning to toughen punishments for people using the Internet to organize or call for unsanctioned rallies, according to a source close to the Uzbek government.
A Justice Ministry group has reportedly drafted amendments to the Criminal Code and the Administrative Procedural Code to that effect.
Under the draft legislation, a person convicted of using media outlets, social networks, or other Internet tools to organize or call for unsanctioned gatherings, rallies, or mass demonstrations could face up to 10 years in prison.
The bill needs to be approved by the parliament before President Shavkat Mirziyoev can sign it into law.
