In Uzbekistan, a man attempting to purchase sexual services from a 13-year-old was sentenced to 5 days in custody.

In the city of Asaka, located in the Andijan region, a local resident, Bahodir Artykov, was sentenced by the court to five days of administrative detention for attempting to engage in an intimate relationship with a 13-year-old girl for money. His wife was fined 750,000 sums, writes the NeMolchi.uz project.

According to court materials, on November 9, 2024, Artykov asked his wife to bring a neighbor's daughter to satisfy his needs, offering 50,000 sums in return. His wife claimed that she mistakenly brought the neighbor's underage sister. However, during the investigation, it became clear that Artykov had initially insisted on the 13-year-old girl.

The minor herself reported that she was asked to blindfold herself to avoid feeling pain, and the reward amount was increased to 100,000 sums. Frightened, she ran out of the house and informed her mother about everything.

The first-instance court classified the actions of Artykov and his wife as "sexual harassment" under the administrative code. The appellate court upheld this decision, refusing to initiate a criminal case.

The NeMolchi.uz project notes that attempts to engage in sexual relations with minors are governed by the Criminal Code, not the administrative code. In such cases, Article 118 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan ("Rape") and articles regarding preparation for a crime and complicity are typically applied. However, in this case, no criminal prosecution followed.