A court in Dushanbe has sentenced Yusuf Ziyoyev to life in prison on July 9.

The sentence followed his conviction on charges of sexual violence against a person known to be under 14 years of age or close relative (Article 138 (4) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code), sexual violence against a person known to be under 14 years of age (Article 139 (4) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code) and abandonment in danger (Article 127 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code).

The court began deliberations in the trial for Yusuf Ziyoyev on July 3 and the trail was held behind closed doors. 

Ziyoyev was reportedly arrested last month after he was accused of raping a three-year-old girl in Dushanbe.

Recall, similar heinous crime has occurred in Hisor as well.  A 42-year-old resident of Hisor suspected of raping a 12-year-old neighbor girl has been detained and criminal proceedings have been instituted against him.

The Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) leader, Rahmatillo Zoyirov, wrote about this incident on his Facebook page on June 17.  SDPT leader noted in his open letter to the Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor-General’s Office that the 12-year-old girl from the Somon jamoat was raped by her 42-year-old neighbor last year. 

“The 42-year-old H.A. last year raped the 12-year-old neighbor girl in a cow-shed.  Threatening the girl and using her helpless state, he did this several times," Zoyirov wrote.  

According to him, when the girl’s parents found out about that, “H.A. by threats kept them from submitting an application [to the law enforcement authorities].” 

“When it turned out that the girl is pregnant, the parents went to the prosecutor’s office and police department in Hisor to complain about the rapist neighbor, but they didn’t accept the application.  Moreover, covering the rapist, they threatened [the parents] with grave consequences.”  

According to Zoyirov, the girl gave birth to the child two months ago, and now there is pressure on the girl and her parents “in order to solve everything peacefully and without consequences.”  

SDPT leader asks the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the Interior Ministry to take the case under their control so that the rapist would be punished.   

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry says that the Hisor police department has registered the case and the Hisor prosecutor’s office is investigating the incident.