Tajikistan has criminalized the intentional transmission of infectious diseases.  Members of Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament have endorsed amendments made to the country’s penal and administrative codes.

A regular sitting of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, presided over by its head, Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, took place on June 10. 

MPs endorsed amendments made to the country’s penal and administrative codes, Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, told Asia-Plus in an interview.  

“Thus, amendments made to Article 207 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code (Violation of sanitary - hygienic and anti-epidemic norms and rules) provides for criminal punishment for the intentional transmission of infectious diseases,” Sultonov said. 

“Amendments made to Article 207 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code stipulate that the intentional transmission of infectious diseases is punishable by up to five years in prison, but if the act caused grievous bodily harm it is punishable by up to 10 years in prison,” Ravshan Rajabzoda, the deputy head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee for Legislation and Human Rights, told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon.

Parliamentarians also approved amendments made to the country’s administrative code.  These amendments, in particular, concern dissemination of inaccurate and untruthful information about pandemic through media.

This violation is reportedly punishable by a fine of 580 somoni for physical entities and by a fine of 11,600 somoni for legal entities.  

Going out in public without a face mask and not observing the social distancing rules will be punishable by a fine from 116 to 290 somoni.