A 28-year-old woman has been detained in Zafarobod district of Sughd province on suspicion of killing her husband’s 9-year-old son, the Interior Ministry’s office in Sughd province says.
Nargiza Niyozova, a resident of Mehrobod settlement in this district, married Sorbon Niyozov two years ago, with this being the second marriage for both.
“Before the marriage, Nargiza Niyozova knew that Sorbon Niyozov had two children and agreed to take responsibility for their care and upbringing,” the report stated.
However, on the night of November 15, “out of jealousy and family hostility, she strangled 9-year-old Komronjon Niyozov in his bedroom.”
The child’s father stated that he had informed Nargiza about his two children from a previous marriage before they wed, and she had agreed to care for and raise them as her own. He expressed his inability to comprehend why she killed his son.
“Although no physical or psychological abnormalities have been observed in Nargiza Niyozova, her altered behavior is linked to the death of her newborn child earlier this year,” the Interior Ministry’s office in Sughd province noted.
The perspectives of Nargiza Niyozova, her relatives, or her lawyer were not provided.
Criminal proceedings have bene instituted against the woman under Article 104 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code — murder of a minor; she is currently under arrest and investigation is under way.
This article prescribes a penalty of 15 to 20 years of imprisonment.
Murders or assaults on children by stepmothers or stepparents are not uncommon in the country. In 2022, another case was uncovered where a one-year-old child was strangled in his cradle by his mother, Mutriba Roziqova, after learning of her husband’s infidelity.
