On April 28, 2025, the Dangara District Criminal Court of Uzbekistan heard a criminal concerning a defendant charged under Part 4 of Article 113 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan — knowingly placing another person at risk of HIV infection.
The defendant, a 40-year-old unemployed Uzbek national with no prior convictions and mother of three minor children, was diagnosed with HIV on July 3, 2024 and officially warned on July 15, 2024 about her obligation to inform sexual partners of her status and the criminal liability for failure to do so.
Despite this warning, on February 7, 2025, during a police sting operation based on a complaint, the defendant agreed to have sexual intercourse in exchange for 400,000 soums. During the setup, she accepted the money and concealed her HIV-positive status from the other party. The police intervened before intercourse took place and seized the payment as material evidence.
The defendant fully admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and explained that financial hardship and her responsibilities as a single mother of three drove her to commit the act. She stated she was desperate to buy formula and diapers for her infant and confirmed that she knowingly failed to disclose her HIV status despite being aware of her legal obligations.
In sentencing, the court acknowledged the absence of aggravating circumstances and emphasized several mitigating factors: full admission of guilt, sincere remorse, economic hardship, lack of prior criminal history, and the defendant’s role as the sole caregiver for her three children.
Consequently, the court found the defendant guilty and sentenced her to five years of imprisonment, which was suspended under Article 72 of the Criminal Code, with a probationary period of two years. If she violates probation terms, the suspension may be revoked, and the prison sentence enforced.
The verdict takes effect from April 28, 2025, and may be appealed within ten days.
