Tashkent Opens Criminal Case Over Private Kindergarten Abuse

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A criminal case has been opened in Tashkent regarding the abuse of children at the Rayyona Kids private kindergarten after a video recording showing the unlawful actions of a teacher circulated on social media, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the city's Main Internal Affairs Directorate announced.

The published footage shows the teacher using violence against the children. Specifically, she shoves a piece of cloth into one child's mouth and jams another child's hand with a door.

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education stated that it has taken special control of the situation. A working group involving representatives of law enforcement agencies has been established to clarify all the circumstances.

The ministry emphasized that measures in accordance with the legislation will be taken against the staff members of the preschool organization who violated professional ethics and were involved in the incident.

Additionally, the ministry announced that based on the results of the investigation, measures up to the cancellation of licenses will be taken against preschool educational organizations that fail to comply with licensing requirements and permit such violations. Supplementary information will be provided after the conclusion of the review.

According to the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of Tashkent, the 36-year-old teacher, identified by the initials A. G., systematically used physical force against the children and mistreated them. A forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine the nature of the bodily injuries sustained by the children.

The investigative department under the Internal Affairs Department of the Uchtepa district opened a criminal case under Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan ("Torture"). The khokimiyat of the Uchtepa district also announced that an investigation is underway.