Behind the amnesty figures lie real lives. For some convicts, their sentences have been reduced; for others, the doors of penal institutions have already opened. As of September 9, more than 1,400 people have been released, and over 1,600 more have been removed from the registers of probation services.

More than eight thousand people in Kazakhstan have already been affected by the amnesty declared in connection with the adoption of the new Constitution. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, work on its implementation continues.

More than five thousand submissions from penal institutions and over seven thousand documents from probation services have been sent to the courts. As a result of the amnesty, more than eight thousand individuals have had their sentences reduced.

The amnesty has covered both convicts serving sentences in penal institutions and individuals registered with probation services.

For some convicts, the application of the law has already meant release. More than 1,400 people have left penal institutions. Another 1,600-plus have been removed from probation service registers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs notes that after release, the issue of a person's return to normal life remains important.

Work on implementing the Law "On Amnesty" continues in accordance with the procedure established by law. Particular attention is being paid to the social adaptation of persons released from places of deprivation of liberty. Together with local executive bodies, they will be provided with the necessary legal, medical, social, and other assistance aimed at their further re-socialization and return to a full life in society.

We would like to recall that the Law "On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan" was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 1, 2026.

Even before the law was adopted, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had outlined the main approaches to its application. It was envisaged that persons who had committed criminal offenses, minor offenses, and medium-gravity offenses without causing damage would be exempted from criminal liability. For a number of convicts, release from places of deprivation of liberty or reduction of sentence was provided for.

At the same time, the amnesty should not apply to those convicted of extremist and terrorist crimes, torture, corruption offenses, crimes against the sexual inviolability of minors, or to persons convicted in absentia.

The Law "On Amnesty" was introduced as a parliamentary initiative. In parallel, work on administrative amnesty continued.

Linara SAKTAGANOVA
Astana