In Qashqadaryo, a married couple who attempted to sell their 14-year-old son for 45 thousand dollars was sentenced to 3 years in prison

In Qashqadaryo, a married couple who tried to sell their 14-year-old son for 45 thousand dollars was sentenced to 3 years in prison

In Qashqadaryo region, a married couple who attempted to sell their minor child for 45 thousand dollars was sentenced to 3 years of deprivation of liberty.

It was revealed that T.E., born in 1988, had a son born in 2011 from a previous marriage. She later married M.E. in 2019 and had another child.

During the court hearing, the family stated that they resorted to this due to obligations.

"We looked for any way to make money. In the end, my husband and I consulted and agreed to sell our eldest son to get rid of our debts. Then I told my acquaintance about this," T.E. said in her testimony.

Following this, through the defendant's acquaintance, a buyer was found in the Angor district of Surxondaryo region who agreed to take the child.

On August 8, 2025, the couple went to Angor district with their child. The parties agreed on a payment of 30 thousand dollars first for the 14-year-old child, and another 200 million soums 15 days later. The buyer handed over the money on the spot. When M.E. counted the money, it was slightly short. The woman said her husband would send the remaining part of the missing money.

At that moment, 5-6 internal affairs officers entered the room. During an operational event conducted by the operational group of the Angor district department of internal affairs, M.E. and T.E. were detained while receiving the chemically treated money for their minor child.

In court, M.E. pleaded guilty and stated that the idea to sell the child came from her husband, and this decision was caused by family difficulties and debts. T.E. also confirmed his wife's statements.

The 14-year-old child, questioned in court, stated that his mother and stepfather had told him in advance that they wanted to sell him to another family, and he himself had agreed to this. The boy said that his parents resorted to this because they were struggling, stated that he had no claims against them, and asked the court for leniency.

The Termiz District Criminal Court found the parents guilty under Article 135, Part 3, Clause "b" (human trafficking) of the Criminal Code. Applying Article 57 of the Criminal Code, each of them was sentenced to 3 years of deprivation of liberty.