Ferghana doctor jailed for five days as court penalizes workplace sexual harassment

A physician in Ferghana province has received a five-day jail sentence for sexually harassing a colleague, signaling an increased judicial focus on workplace misconduct in the country.

The 33-year-old doctor, identified as F.Zh. in court documents, was found guilty under Article 41-1 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility, which addresses sexual harassment. The incident took place at the Toshloq District Central Multi-Profile Clinic, which is part of the provincial medical association.

Court records indicate that F.Zh. sent explicit photos and unwanted propositions via text message to a female digital operator at the same facility in late May 2026. The victim stated in court that she repeatedly turned down his advances, noting that both individuals were married with children. The harassment came to light when the victim's husband found the messages, prompting the family to report the incident to law enforcement.

During the trial, F.Zh. partially admitted guilt, acknowledging that he sent compliments and pictures of flowers, but denied sending sexually explicit content. He also argued that his actions did not legally amount to harassment, a claim the magistrate dismissed due to digital evidence.

This ruling highlights a growing trend of public accountability and judicial action against gender-based misconduct in Uzbekistan, a nation that has historically been reluctant to openly prosecute workplace harassment.

The Fergana conviction is one of several similar high-profile rulings recently made across the country.