Tajikistan has introduced criminal liability for promoting illegal hunting and for publishing photos or videos of illegally obtained wildlife in the media and online. Offenders may face fines of up to 156,000 somoni or prison sentences of up to five years.
The amendments were introduced to the country’s Criminal Code and were signed into law by President Emomali Rahmon on December 17, 2025, after being approved by both chambers of parliament.
Under the new provisions, Article 232 (“Illegal Hunting”) has been amended to include offenses committed “with public demonstration, including through mass media or the Internet.” This marks the first time Tajik legislation has explicitly addressed public promotion of illegal hunting, including through social media platforms.
The law stipulates penalties ranging from fines of 78,000 to 156,000 somoni (1,000–2,000 calculation units; one unit equals 78 somoni in 2026) to imprisonment for a term of three to five years for promoting hunting or publishing related photo and video materials online.
A new Part 3 has also been added to Article 232, establishing harsher penalties for repeat offenses, including illegal hunting, the capture of birds and animals whose hunting is fully prohibited, as well as crimes committed through abuse of official position, by prior conspiracy, or by organized groups. Such offenses are punishable by fines of 156,000 to 234,000 somoni or imprisonment for four to seven years.
Penalties for crimes involving the snow leopard have also been strengthened. Amendments to Article 232(1) provide for fines ranging from 93,600 to 140,400 somoni for hunting or killing a snow leopard, while repeat offenses may result in fines of at least 156,000 somoni or prison sentences of up to eight years. Previously, the maximum prison term for repeat violations was five years.
In Tajikistan, hunting—especially of rare species listed in the Red Book—is permitted only with special authorization from the competent authorities. However, officials note that some individuals engage in illegal hunting and, in certain cases, publicly share footage of the hunt or its results online, including on social media.
Snow leopard under special protection
In addition, at the end of December 2025, lawmakers approved further amendments tightening penalties for crimes involving the snow leopard.
Under the revised law, hunting, intentional killing, as well as the illegal acquisition, storage, transfer, or sale of a snow leopard are punishable by fines of 1,200 to 1,800 calculation units or imprisonment for up to three years. Previously, fines ranged from 800 to 1,200 units.
Repeat offenses now carry fines of 2,000 to 3,000 calculation units or prison terms of four to eight years, along with a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to five years. Under the previous version of the law, the maximum prison term was five years.
