Man sentenced to 6 years in prison for raping his minor sister-in-law

According to the sentence of October 17, 2023, a man from the north of the country was found guilty of rape committed against a minor family member (art. 171 para. (2) letter b), b1) of the Criminal Code), establishing – he is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 6 years, with the execution of the sentence in a semi-closed penitentiary.

According to the accusation submitted by the state prosecutors, the defendant, on one of the days of March 2021, being at his mother-in-law’s home located in a village in the north of the country, living in the same household with his 16-year-old minor sister-in-law, proposed to her to maintain a voluntary sexual relationship, but the latter refused. In continuation of his illegal actions, the defendant, taking advantage of the victim’s inability to defend himself, pursuing the goal of satisfying sexual desire, acting with direct intent, through physical and mental coercion, had sexual intercourse with her.

Regarding the defendant, the preventive measure in the form of preventive arrest was maintained until the sentencing entered into force.

He pleaded not guilty. In the statements provided, he vehemently denied committing the crime, stating that it was a method of extorting his mother-in-law against him to drive him out of her home.

The sentence is not final and can be appealed within 15 days to the Balti Court of Appeal.

Note: A person accused of committing a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.