Illegal Religious Classes for Minors Uncovered in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Cases of illegal religious education involving minors have been uncovered in Tashkent, following a joint operation by the State Security Service and internal affairs bodies.

Authorities established that a 34-year-old second-year student at a private university, originally from the Kashkadarya region, was conducting paid religious classes for nine children (born between 2014 and 2021) in a rented apartment in the Yangihayot district. During the inspection, 49 religious books, 24 notebooks containing educational materials, and a laptop were seized as evidence.

Preliminary reports indicate that the lessons involved elements of coercion, and in some instances, children were subjected to varying degrees of physical injury. Six of the children had not attended public school for periods ranging from two to eight months; they were kept indoors and prohibited from going outside.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspect under part 2 of Article 229² of the Criminal Code. Additionally, administrative protocols were filed against the parents under Article 47 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

In a related discovery in the same district, it was found that a lecturer from the same private university—who served as the aforementioned student's mentor—had organized illegal religious classes alongside his spouse for five children born between 2009 and 2018, including the child of a Tajik national.

Expert examinations have been ordered, and preliminary investigative actions are underway. Citizens are encouraged to report similar violations by calling the State Security Service hotline at 1520, with guaranteed confidentiality for all informants.