A criminal case against a 52-year-old kindergarten facilities manager and other individuals suspected in the alleged rape of a five-year-old child in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region has been sent to court, with the first hearing scheduled for Nov. 18, the Namangan regional court said. The materials have been transferred to the Naryn district court, and the proceedings will be held behind closed doors under Article 19 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Procedure Code because of the victim’s age. The case was opened on Sept. 12 by the investigative unit of the Uchkurgan district police department under Part 4 of Article 118 of the Criminal Code — rape of a person known to be under 14 — and the suspect was detained the same day and placed in custody.
Key Takeaways: A 52-year-old man is due to stand trial over the alleged rape of a five-year-old child, with the first hearing set for Nov. 18 at the Naryn district court. The hearing will be closed, and the charge is filed under Part 4 of Article 118 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. The suspect was detained on Sept. 12 and remanded in custody.
The case draws attention to safety, staff vetting and child-protection standards in childcare institutions. Under Uzbek law, cases involving minors, especially alleged crimes against sexual integrity, are typically heard in closed sessions to protect the child’s identity and psychological wellbeing. The suspect is presumed innocent until a final verdict is delivered, and his rights and the evidence presented by the prosecution must be assessed through the established legal process. The transfer of the case to court indicates that the investigation phase has concluded and that the dispute has moved to formal judicial review.
According to the regional court, the case materials concerning the 52-year-old man and other individuals were sent to the Naryn district court. The closed hearing is being organized under Article 19 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which the court linked to the child’s age. The investigation began on Sept. 12 through the Uchkurgan district police investigative unit; the suspect was detained that day, and a court ordered custody as a preventive measure. The charge is qualified under Part 4 of Article 118 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code.
The first hearing is due to begin on Nov. 18; because the process is closed, full details and witness information may not be disclosed publicly. After a final verdict, the parties will have the right to appeal under procedures set by law. The date of subsequent hearings is expected to be determined during the proceedings. Cases involving violence against children continue to fuel public debate over the need to strengthen child-protection systems.
Source: podrobno.uz