Uzbekistan to toughen punishment for pedophilia after kindergarten crime

The Uzbek government is preparing amendments to "maximum tightening" responsibility for sexual violence against children after a high-profile crime. This was reported by the head of the administration Said Mirziyoyev in Telegram.

“We are preparing proposals for amendments to the legislation in order to tighten responsibility for such crimes as much as possible,” Mirziyoyeva said. The official noted that, in her opinion, the death penalty should be applied for sexual violence against children. “Unfortunately, the current law does not provide for it,” she said.

On September 22, a 52-year-old head of the farm of one of the kindergartens was detained in the Namangan region on suspicion of raping a pupil. The girl and her mother receive psychological help. The teacher and managers of the garden were dismissed under the article on improper performance of duties. The death penalty was abolished in Uzbekistan more than a decade ago.