Namangan kindergarten employee detained over rape of 5-year-old girl

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
A 52-year-old maintenance manager at a state kindergarten in Uchkurgan district, Namangan region, was detained on September 12 on suspicion of raping a 5-year-old girl. The district police investigative unit opened a criminal case under Article 118, Part 4 of the Criminal Code (sexual assault of a person under 14). The kindergarten director said she was on leave when the incident occurred and returned to work on September 10.
Key Facts
- A criminal case was opened on September 12 under Article 118, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which covers sexual assault of a person under 14.
- The suspect, identified as K. M., was detained the same day and placed in custody.
- The kindergarten director stated she was on leave from July 20 to September 10 and was not present when the incident occurred.
- The suspect, aged 52, had worked at the kindergarten as a maintenance manager since 2022 and had no prior complaints against him.
- The girl's teacher said the child had been in her group for two years and was never left unsupervised.
The Investigation
The Uchkurgan district police investigative unit opened the criminal case on September 12 under Article 118, Part 4 of the Criminal Code. The suspect, identified as K. M., was detained the same day and placed in custody. The kindergarten director said police officers came to the facility on September 11 and questioned staff about the incident. She said she was not informed of the details of the case and that the investigation is ongoing.
Kindergarten Staff Accounts
The kindergarten director said she was on leave from July 20 and returned to work on September 10, the day before police arrived. She identified the suspect as a 52-year-old maintenance manager who had worked at the kindergarten since 2022. The director said she had received no complaints about the suspect from parents or staff before the incident. The girl's teacher said the child had attended the kindergarten daily for two years and was never left unsupervised. The teacher said her group has 25 children and she is responsible for each of them.