Uzbekistan eases drone regulations
Uzbekistan Implements Changes to Criminal Code for UAV Violations
On March 15, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a new law amending the Criminal Code and the Administrative Responsibility Code in order to liberalize liability for certain categories of criminal acts. The changes are set to take effect in three months, as reported by the press service of the Customs Committee.
Under the new law, individuals who are first accused of illegal import, sale, acquisition, storage, or use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), components, and spare parts will now face administrative liability instead of criminal charges. Any UAVs identified as a result of an administrative offense will be confiscated at the expense of the state, and individuals may be exempt from liability if they voluntarily surrender the UAVs and related components.
The updated article 244-4 in the Criminal Code has been amended to include alternative penalties such as fines, correctional labor, and restrictions on freedom. Currently, the minimum punishment for these offenses is imprisonment for up to 3 years, with the option for exemption from liability if the UAV and components are voluntarily surrendered. In severe cases, the prison term can be extended up to 10 years.
The Customs Committee has stated that these changes are expected to decrease the number of offenses related to drone usage and boost tourism in Uzbekistan, as foreign citizens have previously been detained for unwittingly violating UAV regulations. The amendments were developed as part of broader reforms in the country to promote democratization, liberalization of the legal system, and the rule of law.
Overall, the new law aims to streamline the legal framework surrounding UAV violations and encourage compliance among both domestic and international drone users in Uzbekistan.
