Kadirov made the remarks following a widely reported case in Namangan region in which a kindergarten employee is suspected of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl. He said the death penalty should be considered for crimes of this nature.
“Today, we are turning a blind eye to this necessity by getting used to standards that are too weak to take action against the mass killing of innocent people and children, and by listening to the outcry of those who fear that such a measure could be used against them,” Kadirov said.
He argued that some categories of offenders continue to pose a threat to society and that lengthy prison sentences do not necessarily lead to their rehabilitation. According to Kadirov, releasing such offenders back into society could create a risk of further serious crimes.
He distinguished between people who might be considered political offenders under one period of history and those convicted of violent crimes against children.
“Perhaps a person who is considered a potential traitor under current laws could become a national hero with a change of era, which is why the death penalty should never be applied to such a person,” Kadirov said. “But I am surprised if anyone believes that a repeat offender, a person capable of killing a child, or a pedophile capable of abusing a young child will suddenly become a good educator in prison.”
Kadirov also noted that intentional killing is regarded as one of the most serious crimes under both secular and religious norms, although approaches to punishment differ.
He said some people consider life imprisonment sufficient, while others support capital punishment as a means of deterring further crimes and potential offenders.
“Those who intentionally kill an innocent person, especially a child killer or pedophile, must know exactly what awaits them,” Kadirov said.
The comments followed remarks by Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration, concerning the Namangan case. She called for those responsible to face the maximum possible punishment.
Mirziyoyeva said that because current legislation does not provide for the death penalty for such crimes, proposals would be prepared to amend the law and strengthen criminal liability to the fullest extent.
