Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed the law introducing administrative and criminal liability for begging on Jan. 9. The Legislative Chamber of the Parliament passed it on Nov. 30, 2018 and the Senate approved it on Dec. 13, 2018.

In accordance with the law, begging is defined as active asking for money, food and other assets at public places such as airports, railway stations, parks, markets, shopping centers and surrounding areas, streets, stadiums, bus stops, roads, cultural heritage sites, all kinds of public transport and others.

The act of begging from now onwards will be punished with a fine from 1 to 3 minimum monthly wages or administrative arrest up to 15 days. Involvement of minors or elderly people, people with mental disorders or disabilities into begging will be fined with 5 to 10 minimum monthly wages or up to 15 days in prison.

If the same offence is repeated by any individual, they will be punished with public works up to 240 hours or correctional labor up to 2 years or up to 1 year in prison.