Man was arrested in Tashkent for using his child to beg

A man in the Sergeli district of Tashkent has been arrested for using his 10-year-old son for begging. The Tashkent General Department of Internal Affairs reported the arrest.

According to the Internal Affairs report, the man was taken into custody while supervising his son, who was begging.

"My son was begging. I’m being punished for 10 days. I didn’t pay attention, and my son went out to beg. The situation cannot be undone," the defendant stated.

The Sergeli District Court for Criminal Cases found the man guilty under Part 2 of Article 188-3 and Part 1 of Article 194 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility. He was sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention and fined 340,000 soums (equivalent to BHM).

It should be noted that using minors for begging can result in both administrative and criminal liability.

According to Article 127-1 of the Criminal Code, begging in public spaces such as airports, train stations, parks, markets, or near heritage sites, as well as on public transport, is punishable by up to 240 hours of community service, up to 2 years of corrective labor, or up to 1 year of restriction or deprivation of liberty.

Additionally, exploiting minors, the elderly, or people with mental or physical disabilities for begging, or forcing them to consume substances that impair judgment, carries penalties of up to 200 times the minimum monthly salary, 360 hours of community service, 2 years of corrective labor, or 1-3 years of restricted or full imprisonment. Repeat offenders may face up to 3-5 years of imprisonment.

Authorities have recently taken legal action against beggars in Tashkent’s Yunusabad and Yangihayot districts. Preventive measures revealed that some women were endangering their children's lives by using them to beg. Most of these women were under the age of 40.