Japarov Signs Law Banning SIM Card Transfers in Kyrgyzstan

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has signed a law amending the country’s Criminal Code to prohibit individuals from transferring their SIM cards to other people, Orda.kz reports.

According to the official presidential website, the law was approved by parliament in late June. It expands the list of personal items that citizens are now legally barred from passing on to others.

These include:

• Bank cards and accounts
  
• Electronic wallets
  
• Mobile banking apps
  
• SIM cards
  
• Other financial credentials

The law introduces a new provision into the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, establishing liability for the intentional transfer or sale of electronic payment instruments, virtual asset wallets, and SIM cards to third parties, the official explanation states.

The amendments are made to Article 209-1 of the Criminal Code and provide a legal definition for “electronic payment instruments.”

Original Author: Nikita Drobny