What Books Are Considered a Crime in Kazakhstan?

In Kazakhstan, not only the distribution of extremist or terrorist materials, but now also their possession may be specifically recognized as a violation of the law. Such an amendment was considered as part of a draft law on the activities of special state bodies and discussed in the first reading in the Mazhilis. An Orda.kz correspondent looked into the proposed change.

What Will Change?

As MP Bolat Kerimbek explained, the country had previously prohibited the import, production, and distribution of extremist materials. Now possession will also be explicitly included in this list.

However, this amendment does not introduce any new punishment.

“This Is Just a Clarification”

Mazhilis deputy Dmitry Koloda questioned the need for the change, noting that liability for such actions has long existed in the Code of Administrative Offenses.

In response, Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee Almas Naimantayev said the amendment is needed only to harmonize legislation. In other words, the current code already contains penalties, but the sectoral laws do not explicitly mention possession. Now this gap will be corrected.

According to Article 453 of the current Code of Administrative Offenses:

• For individuals — from 20 to 200 MCI, or about 86,500 to 865,000 tenge in 2026
• For officials — from 25 to 300 MCI
• For businesses — from 50 to 2,000 MCI, or up to 8.6 million tenge

The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the offense.

Key Point

The new amendment does not increase liability, but removes a gap in the law and clarifies that the possession of extremist materials is also specifically prohibited.

This is a step aimed at unifying legislation in the security sector.

Original author: Ardaq Qultay

Read also:

• Kazakhstan May Ban Storage Of Extremist And Terrorist Materials
• Kazakhstan Convicts 17 for Terrorist and Extremist Crimes Since Start of Year
• Kazakhstan: Sentences Issued in Terrorism and Extremism Cases