Kazakhstan's Selective Amnesty: Who's In, Who's Out?

Kazakhstan Parliament Approves Amnesty Bill, Excluding High-Profile Figures Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan – The Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) recently approved an amnesty bill in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Constitution. While the bill aims to grant leniency to approximately 15,000 convicts—6,000 currently incarcerated and 9,000 under probation—it notably excludes individuals convicted of serious crimes. This includes those involved in corruption, terrorism, extremism, torture, repeat offenses, and organized crime. High-profile figures such as former Prime Minister Karim Massimov and Kuanysh Bishimbayev fall under this exclusion. "The amnesty does not apply to those convicted of serious crimes," stated Deputy Abzal Kuspan, clarifying the bill's stipulations. "This is to ensure public safety and uphold justice." The criteria for amnesty include the severity of the crime, compensation for damages, and social vulnerability of the convict. The government projects annual savings of around 5 billion tenge due to the reduced prison population. This initiative demonstrates a balance between leniency and the need to maintain public safety and justice. The exclusion of high-profile figures highlights the government's commitment to addressing serious crimes.