Senators Approve Amnesty for Participants of The January Events

Senators considered a draft law on amnesty for participants in the January events on October 27. Deputy Lyazzat Suleyman introduced it. She added that the January events were a real test for Kazakhstan.

The bill exempts persons from serving sentences if said persons fell under the influence of provocateurs and committed criminal acts in the conditions of mass riots in the period from 4 to 7 January 2022.

"During the previous amnesties, [those] accused had to compensate for the damage caused. There is no such thing here. The second feature, for the release of the convicted person, his behaviour in places of deprivation of liberty was taken into account. There are no such requirements in the proposed draft law,"

The deputy said.

Law enforcement officers and military personnel who have committed criminal offences while serving during the January Events are also able to receive amnesty under the bill.

It is proposed to terminate criminal cases against rioters, who have committed criminal offences and crimes of small and medium gravity, release those convicted of them from punishment, and remove criminal records from those who have served one.

Persons who have committed serious crimes will see penalties reduced by three-quarters. Those who committed especially serious crimes by half.
If on the day the law is put into effect no more than one year remains to serve a sentence, the main sentence will be reduced by the entire unserved term.

Persons who have committed terrorist, extremist, corruption crimes, high treason, and organization of mass riots are not subject to amnesty, except in the case of the commission of this crime by a minor.

Those who committed torture or crimes against the sexual integrity of minors are also not subject to amnesty.

According to preliminary calculations, about 1.5 thousand persons fall under amnesty.

Out of 1,112 convicted in the January events, only 128 people have been deprived of liberty. After the adoption of the law, more than 40 convicts will be released from prison. About 50 other persons will be released within the next six months.

171 people will be released from criminal liability.

In respect of 363 persons who have committed serious crimes (in cases that are under investigation and under consideration in the courts), amnesty will be applied during their sentencing.