The defendant, was charged under Part 4 of Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan for knowingly placing another person at risk of contracting HIV through unprotected sexual contact. The accused, officially diagnosed as HIV-positive in October 2014, had signed a formal warning acknowledging the criminal liability associated with exposing others to the virus.
However, he allegedly engaged in unprotected sexual relations with his wife without disclosing his health status, exposing her to the risk of infection. At the time of the offense, the defendant was married, employed as a seasonal worker, and had no previous convictions.
The victim only learned of the defendant’s HIV status when she was diagnosed during a hospital visit in 2024.
After reviewing the evidence, and taking account of mitigating factors, such as the victim’s request for leniency and absence of civil claims, the court found the defendant guilty under Article 113(4) and, considering the individual circumstances and the guidance of the Uzbek Supreme Court on proportional sentencing, imposed a non-custodial sentence of 3 years of correctional labour.
