Japarov: Kyrgyzstan's Citizens Will Decide on Death Penalty Reinstatement

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has said that the decision to reinstate the death penalty for particularly serious crimes will be made not by the government, but by the people, Orda.kz reports.

The president discussed the issue in an interview with the state news agency Kabar, key points of which were shared on Facebook by presidential press secretary Askat Alagozov.

According to Japarov, the draft proposal will first go through public discussion and review by the Constitutional Court. The issue will then be put to a national referendum. Only if approved by voters will parliament adopt the necessary amendments to the criminal codes and, if required, decide on withdrawal from international treaties.

The government has pledged strict procedural safeguards — including thorough investigations supported by video and other evidence, open court hearings with online broadcasts, and participation by victims’ relatives — to minimize the risk of judicial errors.

While some citizens support harsher penalties to protect vulnerable groups, others warn of legal and international implications. Authorities have promised to clarify the timeline and procedures for the referendum.

The proposal follows nationwide outrage over the killing of 17-year-old Aisuluu Mukasheva in late September — a case that President Japarov placed under his personal supervision.

Original Author: Natalia Ovchinnikova