The "Don't Be Silent" (Nemolchi.uz) project has revealed details of a disturbing case in Andijan region, where a woman was convicted for attempting to sell a minor into sexual exploitation. The incident occurred in September 2025, when M. Usmonkhodjayeva approached 17-year-old Z. in a park, offering her a job as a nanny.
According to investigators, Usmonkhodjayeva spent several days with the girl, covering travel and accommodation expenses, before taking her to a dacha in Khanabad on September 23. Police arrested Usmonkhodjayeva as she received 1 million soums (about $80) from a client, with the minor's age reportedly listed as a "selling point" in prior phone negotiations.
Initially charged under Article 135, Part 3, Clause 'b' of the Criminal Code (human trafficking, punishable by 10-15 years in prison), the court reclassified the crime under Article 131, Part 4, Clauses 'a' and 'b' (procurement for prostitution, 5-8 years). The judge ruled that the elements of human trafficking were not proven, citing a lack of financial dependence and the single-episode nature of the crime.
In January 2026, Usmonkhodjayeva was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months of restricted freedom, further reduced under Article 57 (leniency). Irina Matviyenko, founder of Nemolchi.uz, criticized the ruling, noting that the case involved classic grooming—a crime not recognized under Uzbek law.
Matviyenko argued that the court's reliance on a Plenum resolution failed to distinguish between adult and minor victims, ignoring Z.'s age and the inherent power imbalance. She highlighted that Uzbekistan's 2008 ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child criminalizes the mere transfer of a child for sexual exploitation, regardless of coercion or frequency.
The activist warned that national practice lags behind international standards, leading to reclassification of crimes and inadequate protection for children. The case echoes previous scandals, including the 2022 Khorezm orphanage abuse case, where staff exploited minors and received light sentences.
Source: www.gazeta.uz