Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A criminal case has been opened in Uzbekistan against citizens who spread fake news about the situation with the Gissar reservoir. 

On 10 June, a water leak occurred from a reservoir located in Shakhrisabz district of Kashkadarya region.

The Department of Internal Affairs of Kashkadarya region stated that some citizens spread false information on social networks about what happened at the Gissar reservoir. The department noted that the false information caused panic among compatriots and caused them serious damage.

Based on this fact, a criminal case has been initiated against residents of the Shakhrisabz district D.U., N.A. and others under paragraph “b” of Part 3 of Article 244-6 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Dissemination of false information causing particularly large damage or causing other grave consequences ). Offenders may face a fine of up to 300 sizes of basic estimated value or imprisonment of up to three years. An investigation is underway.