This contrasts with a similar case where an appeals court issued a suspended sentence and recommended financial assistance from local authorities.

Arrested in the courtroom

According to court documents reviewed by Kun.uz, Matluba Karimova, born in 1989, attempted to sell her newborn son, who was born on November 6, 2024, for 62 million UZS. She was caught on November 13, 2024, when she received the money from an undercover agent during a sting operation conducted by the Surkhandarya Transport Security Department.

On January 14, 2025, the Jarkurgan District Criminal Court found her guilty under Article 135, Part 3(a) of the Criminal Code (human trafficking) and, considering Article 57, sentenced her to three years in a general-regime prison.

Appeal rejected

Matluba Karimova appealed the sentence, admitting her guilt and expressing remorse. She pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing her six children and dire financial situation. However, on February 18, 2025, the Surkhandarya Regional Court upheld the original ruling, leaving her prison term unchanged.

"We have no home; my husband is disabled"

In court, Karimova explained that she attempted to sell her baby out of desperation to buy a house.

"I have six children. My husband is a Group II disabled person. Neither of us has a job. We live in extreme poverty and have no home, so we rent. I was desperate to buy a house, and that’s why I made this decision. I deeply regret my actions. Please consider my family’s hardship and grant me leniency," she said.

The court acknowledged that she had no prior criminal record and took into account her remorse and difficult living conditions. However, it also cited her "malicious intent" in the crime as an aggravating factor.

Similar cases

A comparable case occurred earlier in Kibray district, Tashkent region, where 35-year-old Zulkhumor Abdurakhimova was sentenced to eight years for selling her 10-year-old daughter. However, after a Kun.uz investigation, the appeals court reduced her sentence to five years, converted it into a suspended sentence, and released her from custody. Additionally, the court ordered local authorities to improve her financial situation.

Lighter sentences for human traffickers