A man has been detained in Dushanbe for the kidnapping of a minor and lewd acts

A man has been detained in the Shokhmansur district of Dushanbe on suspicion of kidnapping a minor and committing lewd acts against him. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the detainee is also suspected of committing a number of other serious and particularly serious crimes.

The Dushanbe City Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the detained Shokhin Arabov was using the narcotic substance “methamphetamine,” known as “crystal.” According to the police, while in a state of drug intoxication, he kidnapped a minor and subsequently committed lewd acts against him.

Criminal cases have been initiated against him under Articles 130 (Kidnapping), 142 (Lewd Acts), and 201 (Illegal Trafficking in Narcotic Substances) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. An investigation is underway.

According to law enforcement agencies, he had previously been held criminally liable for theft. The suspect or his relatives have not publicly commented on the fact of his detention and the charges against him.

In November 2023, the Parliament of Tajikistan tightened the penalties for committing lewd acts against minors. According to the adopted amendments, if such a crime is committed against two or more minors under the age of 14, the offender faces imprisonment for a term of 5 to 8 years, as well as a lifetime ban on holding certain positions.

Tajikistan’s legislation also provides for severe penalties for crimes against sexual integrity. In particular, for rape, the punishment is imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years. In the case of a repeat offense, the offender may face imprisonment for a term of 12 to 25 years.