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CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR OFFENSES RELATED TO THE ILLEGAL
CIRCULATION OF PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS IN UZBEKISTAN
Ilyosbek Tajaliyev
Independent Researcher, University of Public Safety
e-mail: alfargoniy.uz@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15356662
Abstract
This article is dedicated to analyzing the illegal circulation of pyrotechnic
products in the Republic of Uzbekistan from the perspective of criminal liability.
It examines the legal foundations of crimes related to the illegal production,
storage, transportation, and sale of pyrotechnic devices, the measures of
responsibility stipulated by legislation, and practical cases. Additionally,
measures to prevent such crimes, their impact on public safety, and proposals
for improving legislation are discussed. The study is based on the Criminal Code
of Uzbekistan and other regulatory documents, highlighting the relevance and
social significance of the topic.
Keywords
: pyrotechnic products, illegal circulation, criminal liability,
Uzbekistan legislation, public safety, prevention, Criminal Code.
Criminal Liability for Illegal Handling of Pyrotechnic Products in the
Republic of Uzbekistan
In recent years, the unlawful handling of pyrotechnic products in the
Republic of Uzbekistan has become one of the pressing issues in ensuring public
safety and law and order. The growing demand for such items during New Year
celebrations and other mass events often intensifies their illegal circulation. This
not only violates legal norms but also poses a serious threat to human health
and life [1]. This article analyzes the criminal liability established in Uzbekistan
for crimes related to pyrotechnic products, exploring relevant legislation,
practical cases, and prevention strategies.
The circulation of pyrotechnic products in Uzbekistan is strictly regulated.
One of the key normative documents in this area is Resolution No. 309 of the
Cabinet of Ministers dated December 10, 2009, “On Measures to Regulate the
Circulation of Pyrotechnic Products in the Territory of the Republic of
Uzbekistan” [2]. This resolution introduced licensing requirements for the
manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, and use of pyrotechnic items.
Additionally, Article 250¹ of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
stipulates criminal liability for the illegal handling of pyrotechnic products [3].
According to this article, actions such as unlawful production, transportation,
storage, or sale of such items are classified as criminal offenses.
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Considering the hazardous nature of pyrotechnic products, the legislation
mandates that their circulation must be under state control. For instance, the
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated October 25, 2010, specifies that only
individuals holding special permits may be involved in the circulation of
pyrotechnic products [4]. Violation of these regulations results in not only
administrative but also criminal liability.
In accordance with Article 250¹ of the Criminal Code, the following
penalties are applied in cases where the illegal handling of pyrotechnic products
may lead to serious consequences:
If the offense is committed in significant quantities or repeated after the
imposition of an administrative penalty, imprisonment from 8 to 10 years may
be imposed;
If the offense is committed in large quantities or by an organized group,
the punishment may be further intensified [3].
For example, in December 2022, during special operations carried out in
Tashkent, Andijan, Bukhara, and Jizzakh regions, illegal sales of pyrotechnic
products worth over 200 million UZS were uncovered, and criminal cases were
initiated under Article 250¹ of the Criminal Code against the perpetrators [5].
This incident reflects the widespread nature of illegal transactions and the active
measures being taken by state authorities to combat them.
Crimes involving pyrotechnic products are not limited to legal violations
but also pose significant threats to public safety. Illegally traded pyrotechnic
items often lack quality certification, and their use can result in fires, injuries, or
even fatalities [6]. For example, in the run-up to New Year celebrations, the use
of pyrotechnic items by children and youth tends to increase, which not only
causes harm to health but also leads to a rise in offenses.
According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, pyrotechnic
products worth 9 billion UZS were confiscated across Uzbekistan in 2023,
highlighting the magnitude of the issue [7]. Moreover, illegal circulation of
pyrotechnic products is frequently associated with organized crime, posing
additional risks to national security.
A range of preventive measures is being implemented in Uzbekistan to curb
crimes related to pyrotechnic products. Law enforcement agencies, the National
Guard, and other competent authorities conduct special operations annually
under the code name “Pyrotechnics.” These operations identify illegal sales
points, seize unauthorized items, and hold perpetrators accountable [8].
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Additionally, awareness-raising campaigns are being carried out among the
population. For instance, conversations are organized in schools and public
places about the dangers of using pyrotechnic products [9]. Organizations such
as the Uzbekistan Youth Union and the Mahalla Fund are also involved in these
initiatives, working to protect youth from engaging in unlawful behavior.
Although the current legislation provides sufficiently strict measures for the
illegal handling of pyrotechnic products, several practical challenges remain.
First, customs control is not yet effective enough to prevent the illegal import of
such items. Second, the enforcement of penalties is often superficial,
contributing to the recurrence of crimes [10].
To address the problem, the following proposals are put forward:
Strengthen customs control and apply stricter measures against the illegal
import of pyrotechnic products;
Amend Article 250¹ of the Criminal Code to introduce imprisonment even
for first-time offenses;
Expand legal awareness campaigns among the population, especially
youth.
Conclusion
The illegal handling of pyrotechnic products in Uzbekistan continues to
pose a serious threat to public safety and law and order. Although the Criminal
Code provides significant deterrents, their practical application and the need to
enhance legislation remain pressing. Preventive measures carried out by state
authorities, combined with active public participation, are essential steps in
addressing this problem. Therefore, combating the unlawful circulation of
pyrotechnic products must continue not only from a legal perspective but also
through social and moral engagement.
References:
1.
Aslonov, J. Public Safety and Pyrotechnic Products, Tashkent, 2021.
2.
Resolution No. 309 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, December 10, 2009.
3.
Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, September 22, 1994.
4.
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
October 25, 2010.
5.
Gazeta.uz, “Illegal Sales of Pyrotechnic Products Prevented in Four
Regions,” December 6, 2022.
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6.
Suyunov, A., “Hazardous Consequences of Pyrotechnic Products,” Law and
Society, 2020.
7.
Gazeta.uz, “Pyrotechnic Products Worth 9 Billion UZS Seized in
Uzbekistan,” December 31, 2023.
8.
Ministry of Internal Affairs, “Report on Pyrotechnics Operations,” 2023.
9.
Darakchi.uz, “Negative Consequences of Using Pyrotechnic Products,”
December 10, 2020.
10.
Muhammadiyeva, M., “Issues in Improving Criminal Legislation,”
Philosophy and Law, 2022
