DUSHANBE, 07.01.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – As a result of an operational-investigation, police officers detained a 27-year-old resident of Dushanbe on suspicion of purposely transmitting HIV to another individual.

The detainee knew that she was infected with HIV/AIDS and was registered at the Center for HIV Prevention and the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in the Sughd province. In May 2018, the young woman had sexual intercourse with a 20-year-old resident of Khujand and infected him with HIV, reported the Tajik Ministry of Internal Affairs.
A criminal case was filed, and investigation is underway.

To deter premeditated transmission and spreading of the virus, on January 2, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon signed several laws to amend existing laws, which were adopted by the Representatives Assembly and supported by the National Assembly.

In particular, the Penal Code was amended to strengthen the responsibility for purposely infecting another person with HIV/AIDS. Currently, premeditated transmission of HIV can result in two to five years of imprisonment.