Uzbekistan Increases Fines for Begging in Public Places

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has tightened administrative penalties for begging in public places and for involving minors and other vulnerable people in begging by amending its Code of Administrative Liability.

Under the revised rules, actively soliciting money, food or other material goods in public places is punishable by a fine of three to five basic calculation units (BCUs), equivalent to 1.32 million to 2.2 million soums. Administrative arrest for up to 15 days may be imposed as an alternative penalty.

Previously, the fine ranged from one to three BCUs.

The stricter penalties apply to begging at airports, railway stations, markets, parks, shopping centres and adjacent areas. The list also includes streets, car parks, stadiums, public transport stops, roadways, buses, the metro and other public places.

Higher penalties have been introduced for involving minors, older people, persons with disabilities, people with mental disorders and other citizens in begging.

For such offences, fines have increased from five to 10 BCUs to 10 to 15 BCUs, equivalent to 4.4 million to 6.6 million soums. Administrative arrest for up to 15 days remains an available penalty.

The tougher liability provisions also apply when people are drawn into begging through coercion to consume alcohol or other substances that affect their intellectual and volitional functions.