The Bekabad District Court of Tashkent Region heard the case of a woman, born in 1988, a resident of Dalvarzin district, who was charged under Article 113, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan — for knowingly exposing another person to the risk of contracting HIV.
Court documents established that she had been registered as HIV-positive since March 2019 and had been officially warned of criminal liability for exposing others to infection. However she maintained an intimate relationship between March 2024 and April 2025 with a man she later married through a religious ceremony. The prosecution alleged that these encounters occurred without protection, thereby knowingly leaving her partner at risk of infection.
During the trial, she admitted guilt and expressed remorse, citing her poor health (second-degree disability), financial hardship, and sole responsibility for two minor children. She claimed that her husband was aware of her HIV status before their relationship and had consented to the risk. The victim confirmed his awareness of her illness and asked the court to impose a non-custodial sentence.
Considering her confession, lack of prior convictions, health condition, and family circumstances, the court classified her actions under Article 113(4) but decided to apply the principle of leniency under Article 11 of the Criminal Code.
She was sentenced to 3 years, 11 months, and 1 day of restricted liberty (home-based sentence) and prohibited from changing residence, attending entertainment venues, or contacting certain individuals without probation approval. Each day of prior house arrest was counted toward her sentence.
The court emphasized that the sentence was proportionate to the nature and social danger of the offense, while taking into account humanitarian considerations. Both parties were informed of their right to appeal within ten days.
