A man suspected of sexual violence against his two minor daughters has been taken into custody in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 14 November, following public attention triggered by a video appeal from his former wife. According to her statement, prosecutors opened a criminal case after she described the alleged abuse on social media. Khayot Shamsutdinov, press secretary of Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor General’s Office, confirmed that the suspect was detained and that investigative steps are ongoing. Officials have stressed the need to protect the children’s rights and to observe the presumption of innocence.
Key Takeaways: On 14 November, the suspect was placed in custody; the case was opened under Part 3 of Article 129 and Article 228 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. The man’s former wife said she learned of the alleged abuse on 25 July and later published a video appeal. The Children’s Ombudsman’s office has taken the case under control, and psychiatric and psychological forensic examinations have been ordered.
The case has renewed attention to child protection, prevention of domestic violence and access to timely legal and psychological support for victims in Uzbekistan. Official institutions — the prosecutor’s office, law-enforcement bodies and the Children’s Ombudsman’s office — emphasize the need for prompt checks, an impartial investigation and priority for the child’s best interests. At the same time, social-media publicity can strengthen public scrutiny, but it also raises concerns about investigative confidentiality, personal data and the psychological condition of minors.
In her video appeal, the woman said she learned of the incident on 25 July but hesitated for some time before speaking publicly. She explained that the aim was to encourage other children facing violence not to hide their experiences and not to be afraid to seek help. The Children’s Ombudsman’s office said it is monitoring respect for the girls’ rights and legal interests. Investigators are checking the victims’ testimony and awaiting the results of the forensic examinations.
Once the expert findings are received, the case materials are expected to be prepared for court, but before that all procedural requirements must be met and the rights of the parties ensured. Uzbek law provides strict liability for crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, while every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court. Rights advocates say the children’s safety, mental health and privacy must remain the top priority.
The next steps are expected to include the release of the psychiatric and psychological expert findings, the finalization of the case file and its subsequent judicial review. Oversight by the Children’s Ombudsman’s office is likely to continue, and psychological and social support may be offered to the affected family. The case highlights the need to further improve mechanisms for responding to reports of violence against children and to strengthen preventive work at the community level.
Source: podrobno.uz