(19 February 2026 | Source: press service of the Turkistan Regional Court)
In Turkistan, a court has dropped a criminal case against a man who attempted to sell his own kidney via Telegram. The decision was made under an amnesty to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan — despite the established fact of an attempted transaction.
HOW THE EVENTS UNFOLDED
According to the court, in February 2025, the man posted an advert offering to sell his own kidney on the social network Telegram.
He later met with an individual under the pseudonym “A”, who was acting as part of law enforcement operational activities. The parties agreed on a transaction amount of 13 million tenge.
Upon receiving part of the agreed sum — 5 million tenge in cash — the citizen was detained by law enforcement officers.
UNDER WHICH ARTICLE THE CASE WAS CONSIDERED
The case was considered under Part 3 of Article 24 and Part 1 of Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Attempted illegal transactions involving the organs of a living person for transplantation or other use”).
During the court hearing, the man explained that he intended to sell the organ due to severe financial hardship and lack of money.
WHY THE COURT APPLIED THE AMNESTY
The court stated that the offence was of moderate gravity and no harm had been caused.
In light of these circumstances, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amnesty in Connection with the 30th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was applied.
On 5 February 2026, the citizen was released from criminal liability and the proceedings were discontinued.
The ruling has not yet entered into force.