On November 14, 2025, the Boston District Court for Criminal Cases in Uzbekistan held a closed session to consider the case against a male defendant accused of knowingly exposing another person to HIV infection.
The defendant, a 48-year-old man was registered as HIV-positive since July 8, 2023. He was informed at the time of registration about the risks of transmitting HIV to others and warned about his legal responsibilities. However, in July 2025, he entered into a civil marriage with the victim and engaged in multiple instances of unprotected sexual intercourse without disclosing his HIV status.
The defendant fully admitted his guilt during the trial, expressing remorse and stating that he had been taking prescribed HIV medications. The victim corroborated that she was unaware of the defendant’s HIV status prior to the marriage and sexual relationship.
The court examined extensive evidence and established that the defendant knowingly exposed the victim to a serious infectious disease.
The court also considered the defendant’s personal circumstances. He had no prior convictions, was married with two children, and was the sole provider for his family. These were recognized as mitigating factors. The intentional nature of the act and concealment of his HIV status were considered aggravating factors.
The court applied Part 4 of Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which criminalizes knowingly exposing another person to HIV infection. The verdict emphasized principles of proportionality, humanity, and fairness in sentencing. After weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the court sentenced the defendant to four years’ imprisonment in a general-regime colony.
All parties retained the right to appeal the verdict to the Andijan Regional Court within 10 days.
