On February 15, the President signed amendments to the Code of Administrative Responsibility. The document was published by the Xalq So'zi (People's Word) newspaper on February 16 to take immediate effect.
As per the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons are subject to deportation from the territory of Uzbekistan in case of failure to pay fine imposed for breaching the state border (Article 224-1).
Previously, they were deported from Uzbekistan, despite the payment of the fine, the Ministry of Justice said.
Also, in case of administrative deportation, the offenders shall be banned from entering Uzbekistan.
In case of a first violation, the right to enter Uzbekistan will be limited for 1 year, in case of the second violation - for 3 years.
The amendments also established that the Border Troops of the State Security Service may consider cases of the following offenses:
- violation of the rules of entry and stay in the border zone, as well as in places where temporary restrictions on the entry and stay of citizens are established (Article 224);
- violation of the regime at checkpoints across the state border (part one of Article 224-1).
Administrative deportation, as before, are to be ruled by district (city) criminal courts.
