Four caterers sentenced over Fergana kindergarten poisoning

Four caterers sentenced in Fergana kindergarten poisoning case

A court has handed down sentences to four officials of Garden Catering Trade, the company that supplied meals to kindergartens in Fergana where 105 children were hospitalized with food poisoning in February, the press service of the Ferghana province courts said on Thursday.

The Furkat District Court for Criminal Cases issued the ruling on September 21.

Company head Shavkat Turdaliev was given 3 years and 6 months of house arrest, while technologist Rasuljon Alimov received 3 years. Both were released from custody in the courtroom. Former director Ikboljon Bozorov and chief accountant Akhliddin Sayfitdinov each received 3 years of corrective labor, with 20% of their wages withheld.

The children, from eight kindergartens, became ill on February 20 after eating meat dolma. Laboratory tests detected Salmonella enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus in the samples.

The court dismissed a charge requiring intent, stating that the defendants could not have known about bacteria that cannot be identified by appearance or taste. It ruled that sanitary violations are committed through negligence.

It also reclassified an electricity theft charge, putting the damage at 35.2 million soums, or 105.8 million soums after a threefold multiplier.

The court said 1.11 billion soums in budget damage and 105.8 million soums owed to the energy company had been fully repaid. Mitigating circumstances included no prior convictions, remorse, and the limited harm to the children’s health. No appeal has been filed.

Garden Catering Trade was registered on June 21, 2024, one month before it signed a contract with the provincial governor's office, and did not satisfy experience requirements. The Anti-Corruption Agency found procurement violations in July 2024 and demanded corrective measures. It said the hokimiyat provided only a formal response.