A woman who had been registered as a patient at the Bukhara regional HIV/AIDS treatment centre since February 2019 was fully informed of her obligations, had signed a written acknowledgment of criminal liability under Article 113 of the Criminal Code, and was warned against placing others at risk of HIV infection. Her diagnosis had come after her first husband, whom she had married in October 2018, was found to be HIV-positive — a fact she had not known at the time of their marriage. He died from HIV-related illness in 2022. She subsequently entered into a new relationship and began cohabiting with a man at her registered address in January 2025. Despite having disclosed to him that she had a weakened immune system before their first sexual encounter, she did not inform him of her HIV status specifically. She told the court she had suggested he visit the regional HIV centre for testing, but that he had declined out of concern that his family might find out. The two had sexual relations on multiple occasions between January and June 2025. The victim testified via videoconference that he had been unaware of her HIV status, had since undergone testing himself, and that no infection had been detected. He stated he had no claims against the defendant.
A witness from the Bukhara regional HIV centre, also testifying via videoconference, confirmed the defendant’s registration date, noted that she had herself volunteered at the centre after her first husband’s death and had even brought her subsequent partner there on one occasion, and confirmed that the centre should have provided the partner with preventive guidance and protective measures.
The defendant fully admitted guilt, expressed genuine remorse, and requested leniency, citing her status as the sole breadwinner for two minor children, her gender, her own poor health, and the absence of any prior convictions or civil claims from the victim. The court found no aggravating circumstances and identified multiple significant mitigating factors, leading it to apply a below-standard sanction under Article 57 of the Criminal Code.
The defendant was convicted under Article 113, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and sentenced to 3 years of restricted liberty, to be served at her registered address in Kogon city, with permitted absences only for work or study purposes. Additional restrictions prohibit her from participating in public events, changing her place of residence without probation approval, or leaving Bukhara region. Execution of the sentence was entrusted to the Kogon City Probation Unit.
