Uzbekistan has enacted new legislation establishing specific criminal liability for the construction, financing, and utilization of underground tunnels crossing its state borders. This legislative move follows the discovery of 12 such illegal structures between 2016 and 2025, which were primarily used to bypass customs and smuggle goods, currency, and gold worth billions of soums. Officials highlighted that these tunnels pose significant risks to national security, potentially facilitating the trafficking of narcotics, weapons, and illicit substances. The new law amends the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, mandating that the State Security Service lead investigations into these activities. While the legislation introduces strict penalties, it also includes provisions for exemption from criminal liability for individuals who voluntarily report such tunnels or assist authorities in their investigations for the first time.
Source : Gazeta.uz
Photo : Gazeta.uz
