Appeals Court Overturns Fine Imposed on Teen Who Defended Herself Against Former Coach

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Sirdarya Regional Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that imposed an administrative fine on an 18-year-old woman who had been penalised following an incident involving sexual harassment by her former coach.

According to the press service of the Sirdarya regional courts, on 28 July 2026 the Saykhunabad District Court found the woman, born in 2008, guilty of petty hooliganism and fined her three basic calculation units.

Following the woman's appeal, the appellate court reviewed the case and fully revoked the lower court's decision.

The court concluded that her actions did not constitute an administrative offence and terminated the proceedings under Part 1 of Article 271 of Uzbekistan's Code of Administrative Responsibility.

The appellate court also issued separate rulings concerning the police prevention inspector who conducted the administrative investigation and the investigative judge of the Saykhunabad District Court who heard the case at first instance.

The case attracted widespread public attention after a former sports school coach was held liable for sexually harassing his 18-year-old former trainee, while the young woman herself was fined for petty hooliganism after attempting to defend herself and draw the attention of bystanders.

Following the review, the appellate court ruled that holding her administratively liable had been unjustified.