Uzbekistan probes all state kindergartens after Uchkurgan abuse case

September 26, 2026 at 10:04 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Uzbekistan's preschool ministry has launched inspections of all state kindergartens after a five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 52-year-old staff member in Uchkurgan district. The ministry said it terminated the contracts of employees suspected of involvement and will take action against all negligent officials. A criminal case has been opened and the suspect is in custody.

Key Facts

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education formed a working group to investigate the Uchkurgan incident and assess the fitness of responsible officials.
The ministry terminated the employment contracts of kindergarten employees suspected of involvement in the case.
A criminal case was opened against a 52-year-old head of the economic affairs department accused of raping a five-year-old girl.
The suspect was detained and placed in custody as a preventive measure.
The kindergarten director told Kun.uz that she was on labor leave on the day of the incident.

Ministry Response

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education established a working group to study the incident at the state preschool in Uchkurgan district and review the suitability of responsible officials. The ministry stated that necessary measures will be taken within the authority of relevant organizations against all employees and officials who were involved or showed irresponsibility. The ministry announced that the employment contracts of kindergarten employees suspected of involvement in the incident have been terminated. To prevent similar negative cases in other kindergartens, members of the ministry's special working group are currently inspecting employees of all state preschool education organizations.

Criminal Case

A five-year-old girl was reportedly raped by the 52-year-old head of the economic affairs department at a state kindergarten in Uchkurgan district. A criminal case was opened in connection with the incident. The suspect was detained and placed in custody as a preventive measure. The kindergarten director told a Kun.uz correspondent that she was on labor leave on the day the incident occurred.