The key facts

  • A criminal case was opened under Part 3 of Article 129 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan — the sanction provides for 5 to 8 years of imprisonment
  • The incident occurred on October 23 and became known after a video circulated on social media
  • The girl is receiving assistance through the 'Inson' center, and the case has been taken under the agency's control

What happened

On October 23, in the Karakul district of Bukhara region, citizen Sh. R. committed lewd acts against an 8-year-old girl born in 2018. This was reported by the National Agency for Social Protection in its Telegram channel, which is cited by Gazeta.uz and Kun.uz. The incident became widely known after a video circulated on social media showing a man accompanying the girl, talking with her, and at one point exposing his genitals — this is how UzNews.uz describes the recording.

The authorities' response

The Karakul district prosecutor's office opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 129 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (lewd acts against a person under sixteen years of age). Investigative actions are currently underway, the progress of the investigation is under prosecutorial supervision, and the case itself has been taken under the control of the National Agency for Social Protection. Specialists from the district social services center 'Inson' assessed the girl's condition and are taking measures to provide her with social and psychological assistance.

What punishment could follow

Kun.uz, citing the Criminal Code, specifies that such acts are punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years. The publications do not report whether the suspect has been detained or what his status is — it is only known that the case has been opened and the investigation is ongoing.