More than 1,300 released under Kazakhstan's amnesty law

More than 1,300 people have been released under Kazakhstan's amnesty law, while hundreds of other convicts have had their prison terms reduced, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

According to the Criminal Executive System of the ministry, more than 10,000 submissions have been sent to the courts since the law came into force on July 1, 2026. Nearly 4,400 were prepared by correctional institutions and more than 6,900 by probation services, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

The ministry said courts have so far reviewed more than 1,000 cases. As a result, 620 people have been released from correctional facilities and placed under administrative supervision, while another 724 people registered with the probation service have been released from serving the remainder of their sentences.

"I want to emphasise this point: the criminal amnesty is not applied automatically. A legal assessment is conducted for each individual, and the final decision is made solely by the court," said Niyaz Ryspaev, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on the Penal System at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In addition to the releases, more than 730 people have had their sentences reduced, according to the ministry.

Kazakhstan adopted the law "On Amnesty" at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in connection with the adoption of the country's new Constitution. The legislation entered into force on July 1, 2026.

By Sabina Mammadli