Nurafshon TV Executive Arrested for Sexual Harassment of Female Colleague
A high-ranking official of Nurafshon TV, a state-run television channel operating in the Tashkent region, has been imprisoned for sexually harassing a female employee at their workplace. The incident, which involved the deputy chief editor deceiving the employee to come to her place of work and then subjecting her to inappropriate contact, led to legal proceedings against the perpetrator.
According to Gazeta.uz, referencing a court ruling, the case was heard by the Tashkent City Court for Criminal Cases in the Shaykhontohur district on February 6, 2024. Court documents revealed that on January 27, an individual identified as Kh.S., born in 1988 and previously subject to administrative liability, lured his subordinate to the workplace under false pretenses and attempted to corner and kiss her against her will. The victim claimed this was not an isolated incident and reported her worsening emotional state to the court, demanding legal action and compensation for the moral damage caused.
In his testimony, the accused from Nurafshon TV confessed to his actions, expressed regret, and requested leniency from the court, understanding the gravity of the consequences and vowing not to repeat such behavior.
The court found Kh.S. guilty under Article 41−1 of the Administrative Code (sexual harassment) and sentenced him to three days of administrative detention. The victim was informed of her right to pursue civil litigation for financial and emotional restitution.
Article 41–1 of the Administrative Code specifies that vulgar and undesirable actions toward an individual, including gestures, touches, and verbal descriptions or summons with a sexual undertone, can result in a fine of two to five times the base calculation amount or up to five days of administrative arrest. This legal provision was introduced into law on April 12, 2023.
Reportedly, 666 individuals in Uzbekistan were held accountable for sexual harassment in 2023, with 233 facing fines and 433 others serving administrative detentions. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding and enforcing laws related to sexual harassment in the workplace, and the consequences for those who violate them.
