Uzbekistan has established administrative and criminal liability for unlawful interference in the permitting process for urban development, under a law the president signed on Nov. 2.
The law amends the Administrative Code and the Criminal Code. Using an official position to unlawfully interfere with the authorized body or the entities issuing conclusions, whether through influence, pressure or obstruction, carries a fine of 100 to 150 basic reference values (BRV=440 thousand soums), or 44 million to 66 million soums. The alternative is 15 days of administrative arrest.
The rule applies to procedures for allocating land for construction, design, building, reconstruction and commissioning of completed projects.
Repeat offenders face tougher punishment. If the offense is committed after an administrative penalty, one of the following applies:
- a fine of up to 300 BRVs (132 million soums) or a ban of up to five years on exercising certain rights;
- up to 360 hours of community service;
- up to three years of correctional labor;
- one to two years of house arrest;
- up to two years in prison.
The law also sets penalties for fire safety violations. Vehicle gas filling stations that supply liquefied hydrocarbon gas to consumers in household cylinders will face fines of 3 to 5 BRVs, or 1.32 million to 2.2 million soums.
The law takes effect on Feb. 5, 2027.
