In Kazakhstan, since the criminalisation of stalking, 51 criminal cases have been sent to court, and suspects in 36 cases have been placed in temporary detention facilities. The investigation of such cases is being monitored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMENT
According to the portal Polisia.kz, the department is monitoring the investigation of cases under Article 115‑1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and recording statistics on criminal materials.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs has carried out extensive preparatory work, developed methodological recommendations on the procedure for recording and investigating, and conducted training for employees. Since the criminalisation of stalking, 51 cases have been sent to court, while suspects in 36 cases have been placed in temporary detention facilities. The investigation of cases in this category is being monitored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” said the head of the investigative department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Samat Aisov.
EXAMPLES OF CRIMINAL CASES
In the West Kazakhstan Region, a former husband systematically harassed a woman: he called, sent messages, found new contact details, and came to her place of residence. The court of the Bokeyorda District sentenced him to 100 hours of community service.
In Astana, a man harassed a woman for six months, despite being blocked on messaging apps and a protective order. He came to the victim's workplace and home and filmed her without consent. The court sentenced him to 100 hours of community service and ordered him to pay compensation for moral damages. The unserved portion of a previously imposed restriction of liberty was replaced with imprisonment.
In Semey, a 31-year-old man who stalked another woman, despite being married, was held accountable.
Previously, in the Almaty Region, a court considered a case of systematic harassment of a woman via phone calls, messages in messaging apps, and transfers through the Kaspi.kz app. The court sentenced the man to 25 days of arrest.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITIZENS
“If you, your relatives, or acquaintances are subjected to unlawful harassment, do not ignore it; immediately report such incidents to the police to stop criminal activity and bring the perpetrators to justice,” emphasised Samat Aisov.