People's disease: Radar, fines, and penalty points – Weekly analysis  

These are the fines I have received recently. When I think about it, I realize that I spend nearly half of an average Uzbek citizen's monthly salary on fines in just one month. Of course, it is natural to pay a fine after breaking the rules. But can we be certain that the cameras are recording violations accurately? Why are multiple cameras installed on some roads, streets, and intersections?  

At the very least, they have now started issuing fines for not wearing a seat belt. Fair enough—but are these fines being issued fairly? On the day of Tunov, a friend of mine received a fine for not wearing a seat belt. However, he was wearing one; his clothing simply covered the belt in a way that the camera could not detect it. Is that fair? Such situations are common in Uzbekistan.  

Let me give you an example that happens almost daily. On some roads, lane markings are barely visible, but as soon as you approach a traffic light—specifically, the area where cameras are installed—a line suddenly appears. What’s more, the condition of these roads is often poor, forcing drivers to swerve to avoid potholes, inadvertently stepping on the line. Is this a deliberate trap for drivers?  

I recently returned from abroad and drove there as well. My average speed was 70-80 km/h, and in some places, I increased it to 140 km/h. I also occasionally crossed lane markings when necessary. Despite having paid a deposit for potential fines in advance, I was not charged a single fine. "Now this is justice," I thought to myself.  

So, how much do you pay in fines each month? Do you believe the fines issued based on camera recordings are fair?  

Assalamu alaikum. Stay alert to the cameras—we have much more to discuss in the next edition of the Weekly Analysis. Share your thoughts in the comments, stay active, and share this video with your friends.  

Penalty point system for traffic violations to be introduced  

Drivers, take note: This week, the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, titled "On the Introduction of a System for Assessing Traffic Violations Based on Penalty Points," was published.  

According to the resolution, starting from May 1, a penalty point system for traffic violations committed by drivers will be implemented. These points will be assigned based on administrative protocols issued by employees of the State Traffic Safety Service. Notably, the system will not apply to violations recorded by cameras.  

If a driver is found guilty of offenses outlined in Parts Three and Five of Article 125, Article 126, Part One of Article 127, Article 1283, Part Two of Article 1284, Articles 1285, 1286, 1288, 1289, 129, 130, and Part One of Article 137 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility, they will receive penalty points in addition to the main fine prescribed by these articles.  

Penalty points will be calculated from the date of the first violation and will remain valid for one year. If a driver accumulates fewer than 12 points within this period, the points will not carry over into the next calculation cycle, and the system will reset.  

This raises an important question: While the President has been advocating for reducing human intervention and eliminating corruption-prone practices, could the introduction of this new system actually increase the human factor in fine calculations, leading to more corruption? Who will oversee the process? Can it be managed effectively?  

Now, let’s take a closer look at how penalty points will be distributed for different violations.  

For example, under Article 126, a first-time violation related to window tinting will result in 0.5 points. If the same offense is committed again within a year, it will be penalized with 1 point. Under Article 1283, exceeding the speed limit will result in a penalty ranging from 0.5 to 2 points, depending on the severity of the violation. Drivers who participate in wedding convoys and obstruct other vehicles will receive 2 points.  

All the details of this draft resolution can be found on the portal for discussing regulatory legal acts, and public discussions will continue until April 4.  

In addition to these changes, a new article—Article 1287—has been introduced into the Code of Administrative Responsibility. This article establishes penalties for violating the rules governing lanes designated for public transport, such as buses. Previously, the legislation did not include any specific penalties for this offense.  

Under the new regulation, driving in a lane designated for buses will result in a fine equivalent to the basic calculation amount. If the same violation is committed again within a year after an initial administrative penalty, the fine will increase to three times the basic calculation amount.  

Kindergarten teachers, not the administration, patched potholes  

At the beginning of this program, I mentioned that traffic violations are not always the result of reckless driving—poor road conditions, especially potholes, are a major contributing factor. One glaring example is Qamarniso Street in the Almazar district, where cameras appear to be strategically placed like traps for drivers. A large pothole has formed in what is supposed to be a two-lane road—right in front of a camera. This time, however, it was not the administration that patched up the pothole—it was kindergarten teachers.  

Earlier this week, social media was flooded with images of workers from the private kindergarten Lollipop in the Almazar district using basic tools to fill potholes in front of their kindergarten. A QALAMPIR.UZ correspondent quickly arrived at the scene. A kindergarten worker told our editorial team that none of the women were forced to do the work.  

According to the staff, since the authorities had neglected the road for a long time, they took it upon themselves to fix it.  

While investigating the situation, we saw several drivers stop to help the kindergarten teachers. I wonder if the cameras above the road, which are supposed to monitor drivers’ mistakes, recorded this incident as well.  

About two hours after the videos were posted on social media, employees of the Almazar district preschool and school education department arrived. They told the kindergarten director that the workers had to stop their efforts, as they had been instructed by higher authorities.  

A day later, the pothole that the kindergarten teachers had patched was completely dug out and prepared for asphalt paving.  

Following the discussions on social media, the Tashkent city administration responded, urging citizens to be patient regarding potholes on the roads.  

"We call on those taking the initiative to refrain from arbitrarily repairing the roads and to remain patient. All necessary repairs are being carried out according to the approved schedule and in compliance with technical standards. We express our gratitude to the residents of the city for their active civic engagement. We encourage you to direct this effort more effectively—send applications to the Public Control Portal, document cases of improper repairs with photos, and monitor the implementation. Your involvement will help further improve our city," the administration said in a statement. 

Nigmatilla Yuldashev addresses the people  

"We will do everything we can to protect the population and entrepreneurs, including investors, from criminal attacks." This was the promise made by Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan Nigmatilla Yuldashev in his address to the people this week. Over the past three years, his public addresses have become a tradition. The focus of his latest speech was the fight against corruption, the factors contributing to it, and ensuring the rule of law in the country.  

According to Yuldashev, Uzbekistan has introduced enhanced measures to prevent crimes and maintain stability in the country's criminogenic situation.  

"We will now mobilize all forces and resources not just to combat the consequences of crimes, but to identify and eliminate their root causes," he stated.  

The Prosecutor General emphasized that prosecutors will now work at the grassroots level, going into neighborhoods and homes to identify crime-related factors. They will hold direct meetings with individuals who have committed offenses or are at risk of doing so, introducing a more community-oriented approach.  

"Remember this part well," he said. "The quality of investigations will improve, and human rights and freedoms will not be violated in the process. Every case, regardless of which department handles it, will be under strict daily supervision by prosecutors."  

But does this mean there will no longer be reports of deaths in pre-trial detention centers, particularly in police departments?  

Yuldashev stressed that special attention will be given to ensuring investigations are conducted comprehensively, fairly, and in strict accordance with the law. Investigative officers will bear greater personal responsibility for their actions.  

"Most importantly, we will take all necessary measures to prevent individuals from being subjected to pressure and violence in investigative bodies, or from being unlawfully detained and prosecuted," he said.  

Ensuring fairness in applying precautionary measures to the accused, strengthening the right to defense, and removing obstacles to lawyers' activities will also be key priorities.  

The Prosecutor General further pledged that all levels of the prosecutor's office, from the highest to the lowest, will be fully committed to the fight against corruption. 

Yuldashev stated that in order to identify the factors enabling corruption and its root causes, authorities must reach even the most remote areas and thoroughly examine each sector.  

"Our focus will be on preventing various abuses and bureaucratic obstacles, ensuring legality in areas where the public frequently interacts with budget funds—including subsidies, state aid, public procurement, and service delivery processes. In general, we will target areas where people commonly encounter these issues.  

We will take a particularly responsible approach to ensuring openness and transparency, digitizing all sectors, and minimizing human involvement to reduce opportunities for corruption.  

Additionally, we will intensify joint efforts to expose corruption, and overall, we will use all available resources to protect the population and entrepreneurs, including investors, from criminal encroachments."  

The question of who the Prosecutor General plans to accomplish this with may be on your mind as well. Naturally, it will be the prosecutor's office team. Let me remind you that Yuldashev has committed to consistently enhancing the knowledge, worldview, and professional development of his employees to effectively carry out these measures. He also emphasized the importance of public support in combating crime and corruption.  

While the Prosecutor General was pledging to take all necessary steps to prevent unjust investigations, eliminate pressure and violence in investigative agencies, and stop illegal arrests and prosecutions, another major issue surfaced. At the plenary session of the Senate, the topic of torture during investigations was raised, quickly becoming the most discussed event of the week. We will explore this issue in more detail later. 

Delegation led by Carol Miller arrives in Uzbekistan

A delegation led by Carol Miller, a member of the United States Congress and the parliamentary caucus on cooperation with Uzbekistan, arrived in Uzbekistan and held separate meetings with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Assistant to the President Saida Mirziyoyeva.  

According to the presidential press service, the discussions focused on further developing and expanding the strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States.  

At the start of the meeting, Carol Miller conveyed greetings and best wishes to the Uzbek president from US President Donald Trump, congressional leaders, and members of the Uzbekistan caucus.  

It was noted with great satisfaction that bilateral cooperation has reached a high level. Active political dialogues and interdepartmental exchanges continue, and in recent years, trade and investment volumes have multiplied, strengthening business ties between the two countries.  

Carol Miller highly praised Uzbekistan’s reform strategy, particularly efforts to modernize the economy, strengthen democratic institutions—especially the parliament—and promote gender equality.  

Special attention was given to expanding interparliamentary cooperation to support and promote economic and investment projects in sectors such as mining, industry, energy, and agriculture. However, the presidential press service did not specify which projects were under discussion.  

The meeting also included an exchange of views on key regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.  

Carol Miller also met with Saida Mirziyoyeva to discuss reforms in education, the expansion of women's rights and opportunities, and strengthening cooperation with Congress in these areas.  

Earlier this week, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a letter of condolence to President Donald Trump in response to the numerous deaths, injuries, and extensive damage caused by devastating tornadoes in the central and southern United States. Trump responded to Mirziyoyev’s letter and also sent him a congratulatory message on the occasion of Nowruz.  

In his message, Trump expressed his deep appreciation for the strong ties between the two countries and welcomed Mirziyoyev’s ongoing reform program. He reaffirmed that the United States would continue to support Uzbekistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and expressed his commitment to working together to address the most pressing global challenges.  

Saida Mirziyoyeva also had a busy schedule this week. She traveled to Kazakhstan, where the ballet "Lazgi: Dance of Love and the Heart" was performed under her patronage.  

While in Kazakhstan, she met with State Counselor Yerlan Karin to discuss the upcoming "European Union – Central Asia" summit, scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan on April 3-4.  

Additionally, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held phone calls with his Central Asian counterparts this week, exchanging views on the upcoming "Central Asia Plus" summits that will take place in Uzbekistan.  

Detainees may undergo mandatory medical examinations

Torture and death—these remain inescapable realities within Uzbekistan’s internal affairs system, pre-trial detention centers, and prisons, even in the so-called "New Uzbekistan." Regardless of how it happens—whether through suicide or, as official reports claim, due to sudden heart failure—the fact remains: people are dying in Uzbek prisons.  

This issue was raised at the plenary session of the Senate this week. However, Sherzod Shermatov, head of the Investigation Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, avoided answering senators' questions regarding deaths due to torture in 2024 and their causes.  

During the session, senators also reviewed amendments to the "Law on Detention in Pre-Trial Prisons", aimed at preventing the torture of detainees. If adopted, the law will introduce mandatory on-the-spot medical examinations before detainees are placed in pre-trial detention centers.  

Officials claim that implementing this measure will enhance citizens' access to fair trials, ensure stronger protection of their rights and freedoms, and uphold their legitimate interests.  

But what does this law mean in practical terms?  

In many cases, when officials report the deaths of detainees who were recently released from pre-trial detention, they cite pre-existing health conditions as the cause. However, relatives of the deceased frequently reject these explanations, expressing deep distrust in the official medical reports. If properly enforced, this law could provide more accurate and transparent information about detainees' health before they enter the prison system, making it harder to cover up instances of mistreatment or torture.  

Brawl in a Tashkent nightclub

A 35-year-old man fell into a coma after being struck in the face multiple times.  

The incident took place in the early hours of March 16, at around 02:30 a.m., in a restaurant in Tashkent’s Yakkasaroy district. A man born in 1995 got into an argument with another patron born in 1985. When a third man, born in 1990, attempted to break up the fight, Akmal Shukurov, also born in 1995, punched him in the face, causing serious injuries.  

Videos circulating on social media show that 35-year-old Boris Avakyan, an Armenian national, collapsed and lost consciousness after the blows.  

Avakyan was rushed to the hospital with a brain injury, a laceration on his right cheek, and signs of alcohol poisoning.  

The Yakkasaroy District Department of Internal Affairs opened a criminal case under Article 277 (Hooliganism) of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, the suspect, Akmal Shukurov, fled to neighboring Kazakhstan, where he was later detained by law enforcement and extradited to Uzbekistan.  

Given that Shukurov attempted to evade justice, he has now been charged in absentia under both Article 277 (Hooliganism) and Article 104 (Intentional Infliction of Grievous Bodily Harm). A court has placed him under pre-trial detention.  

"As a result of the incident, Boris suffered a skull fracture, brain swelling, cerebral hemorrhage, a linear fracture of the left temporal bone, and a fracture of the right parietal bone. A five-hour emergency operation was performed, after which he was placed in an artificial coma. His life remains in danger!" wrote one of Avakyan’s relatives on social media.  

According to reports, the victim is a father of two young children.  

Unfortunately, violent incidents in nightclubs are not uncommon. Such altercations occur not only in Tashkent but also in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs across the country.  

In 2017, Uzbekistan introduced crime prevention measures, including the establishment of precinct inspectors near nightlife venues and the declaration of "Preventive Thursdays" to address safety concerns. However, in recent years, these efforts appear to have been abandoned, raising concerns about the rise of violence in nightlife establishments. 

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev holds meeting with small and medium business representatives

Last week, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held his first meeting with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, announcing a series of new initiatives to support entrepreneurs.  

In particular, 5,200 hectares of land in Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Tashkent, and the Fergana Valley regions have been made available for sale as a whole or for lease for 49 years. Entrepreneurs will have the freedom to cultivate any crops they choose and construct storage, sorting, and packaging facilities on designated plots.  

Additionally, another 30,000 hectares will be put up for sale this year under a new system.  

A large-scale program for small and medium business development has also been designed with the help of foreign experts. In 2025, a total of $10 billion will be allocated from various sources to fund this initiative.  

To encourage entrepreneurship, 22 trillion soums in preferential resources will be distributed. Of this amount, 2.5 trillion soums will be designated for young entrepreneurs and an equal amount for women-led businesses. Notably, loan interest rates for women entrepreneurs will be 2% lower than standard rates.  

A new "first chance" principle will be introduced for newly established businesses. Entrepreneurs who commit an administrative offense for the first time will be exempt from liability and given an opportunity to correct their mistakes.  

The President highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that in the past three years, 17,500 businesses closed within a year of their establishment. Officials from Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, and Jizzakh were specifically mentioned for lagging in their support for new enterprises.  

There is also good news for farmers: penalties amounting to 1 trillion soums, accumulated due to delayed tax payments, will be waived.  

Additionally, a three-year moratorium will be imposed on new regulations that introduce additional requirements or obligations for small and medium-sized businesses.  

Another major reform involves simplifying business closures. Currently, all businesses—regardless of size—must undergo a financial audit before terminating operations. As a result, thousands of small enterprises seeking voluntary liquidation are stuck waiting for auditors. Under the new rule, businesses with an annual turnover of less than 10 billion soums over the past three years and no tax debt will be exempt from audits during voluntary liquidation.  

Furthermore, VAT and income tax rates will remain unchanged until January 1, 2028.  

In other news, last week, President Mirziyoyev inspected ongoing construction projects in Tashkent. Plans were announced to extend the city’s metro system to the Tashkent Tractor Plant.  

The project includes the construction of 10 new metro stations connecting the Great Silk Road metro line to the Tashkent Tractor Plant. The expansion is expected to benefit 30 neighborhoods and serve 148,000 residents.  

Uzbekistan to participate in small-scale nuclear power plant project  

Uzbekistan is in talks with three French companies regarding its participation in a small-scale nuclear power plant project planned for the Jizzakh region. This was confirmed by Azim Akhmedkhodjaev, director of the Uzatom Atomic Energy Development Agency, in an interview with "Le Figaro".  

Uzbekistan aims to attract foreign partners not only for their technological expertise but also for financial investment. Akhmedkhodjaev highlighted France as one of the leading providers of advanced nuclear technology.  

Negotiations with French companies gained momentum following President Mirziyoyev’s visit to France. According to "Le Figaro", France has shown significant interest in Uzbekistan’s uranium deposits.  

It is worth noting that in May 2024, Uzatom signed an agreement with Russia’s Rosatom to construct a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. The facility will be based on the Russian RITM-200N reactor, which has a capacity of 55 MW and a service life of up to 60 years.  

The first reactor is expected to be operational within five years, with additional reactors coming online every six months thereafter. However, the plant is not expected to reach full design capacity before 2033.  

Uzbekistan also plans to establish an international consortium for the project, aiming to incorporate Russian, Chinese, and European technologies. Additionally, discussions are underway to procure equipment from international suppliers for turbines, generators, and cooling systems.