Amnesty in Kazakhstan: Interior Ministry reveals who is eligible

Sanzhar Adilov told reporters on Wednesday that it is planned to release from criminal liability those who have committed criminal offenses, minor crimes, as well as crimes of medium severity that caused no material damage.

A similar approach will also apply to those serving prison sentences for similar categories of crimes where no compensation has been made for the damage caused.

However, the amnesty will not apply to those who have committed:

• extremist and terrorist crimes;
• torture;
• corruption offenses;
• sexual crimes against minors.

"Those who have remained in custody over the past year and are serving sentences will also be covered by the amnesty. We are currently considering not extending the amnesty to those who have a first-degree negative record," Adilov said. "As for serious and especially serious crimes, excluding those I have already mentioned, we are considering a one-fifth reduction in the length of sentences served."

Authorities are also working on an administrative amnesty. According to the deputy minister, interagency working groups continue their efforts and are expected to present more detailed approaches next week.

He added that more than 70 government bodies are involved in the administrative prevention system, 15 of which have already submitted proposals on the possible application of amnesty within their competence.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that up to 17,000 people may go free under the criminal amnesty in Kazakhstan.