Syrdarya resident penalized for sharing police officer’s photo

A girl who distributed a photo of a traffic police officer in the Syrdarya region to discredit him has been fined 7.5 million sums. QALAMPIR.UZ has reviewed the court document.  

According to the document, on February 23-24, Z.Yu. posted a photo of O.R., a senior specialist of the Information Group at the Syrdarya regional police department, on her Instagram page while he was performing his official duties. In the post, she accused him of lying and "blackmailing." As a result, an administrative report was filed against her for disseminating information that discredited a law enforcement officer.  

In court, Z.Yu. explained that O.R. had detained her for driving without proper documents and took her to court, where she was sentenced to seven days of administrative detention. She recorded footage of herself in handcuffs during the trial and later shared it on television and social media. She stated that this could negatively impact her future, especially since she is unmarried. Out of frustration, she later posted and then deleted a video in which she accused the officer. She expressed regret for her actions and requested leniency.  

On March 5, the Gulistan City Criminal Court reviewed Z.Yu.'s case. She was found guilty under Article 195² of the Code of Administrative Responsibility, which prohibits distorting and distributing photo or video images of law enforcement officers in a way that discredits them. The court sentenced her to a fine of 20 times the basic amount, equivalent to 7.5 million sums.  

It is worth noting that in 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed amendments to Uzbekistan’s criminal and administrative codes to enhance road safety regulations. Under Article 195², photographing or filming law enforcement officers while they are performing their duties and posting such content online with the intent to defame or insult them can result in a fine of up to 50 times the basic calculation amount (18.75 million sums) or up to 15 days of arrest.  

On January 24 of this year, during the third plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, lawmakers approved amendments that set the fine at 20 to 50 times the basic calculation amount and administrative detention at up to 10 days.