The Dushanbe police on December 26 reported the arrest of 19-year-old Biloliddin Odilzoda on suspicion of corrupting a 14-year-old girl.

According to the capital's Police Directorate, during the preliminary investigation, it was established that the suspect had maintained an intimate relationship with a 14-year-old girl from the Yovon district, "engaging in sexual intercourse and committing other sexual acts."

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against him under Article 141 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code – sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with a person under 16 years of age. The suspect is currently in custody and an investigation is under way..

On December 23, the city police also reported the arrest of a 21-year-old Saymuddin Nozirov, a Dushanbe resident, who was detained on suspicion of corrupting a 13-year-old girl.

"During the preliminary investigation, it was established that the aforementioned individual maintained an intimate relationship with a 13-year-old girl from Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district and committed immoral actions against her," stated the Dushanbe Police Directorate.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the suspect under Article 142 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code -- immoral actions; an investigation is under way.

It is worth noting that in November 2023, Tajikistan's parliament toughened the punishment for corrupting minors. In particular, amendments were made to Article 142 of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, adding a third part. According to the new version, actions committed against two or more individuals clearly under 14 years old are punishable by imprisonment for a period of 5 to 8 years, as well as a lifetime ban on holding certain positions. Previously, the maximum sentence for these crimes was 5 years.

The Criminal Code of Tajikistan also includes other articles punishing crimes against sexual integrity.

For example, Article 138 ("Rape") prescribes a prison sentence of 7 to 12 years, and in the case of recidivism, from 12 to 25 years. Article 139 ("Violent sexual acts") provides a prison sentence of 7 to 10 years. Article 141 ("Sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with a person under 16 years of age") also addresses crimes against minors and prescribes a sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison.