A decree of the President on personnel changes in the judicial system has been published in Kazakhstan. The document affected 183 judges: 135 were appointed to new positions, and the powers of 48 people were terminated for various reasons.
HOW THE PERSONNEL DECISIONS WERE DISTRIBUTED
According to the Presidential Decree No. 1188 of 2 March 2026, the changes affected 183 judges.
Of these:
- 135 judges were appointed to new positions;
- 48 individuals were released from their duties for various reasons.
Some judges left the system upon reaching retirement age or retiring. Other cases are related to the end of their term of office or other grounds provided for by law.
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF POWERS
The release of judges from their positions is regulated by the Constitutional Law "On the Judicial System and the Status of Judges".
In particular, the decree records several grounds for the termination of powers.
Judge of the Inter-District Court of Astana city, Rasul Karagayev, was released from his post on the basis of a decision of the Judicial Jury. According to the legislation, such decisions are made when a disciplinary offence is established.
The powers of the Chairman of the Uralsk City Court, Ruslan Zhumagulov, were also terminated in connection with a conviction that had entered into legal force.
In accordance with Article 34 of the said law, this is an automatic ground for releasing a judge from their post.
ROTATION OF LEADERSHIP IN COURTS OF MAJOR CITIES
The decree also formalised changes in the leadership of courts in the country's largest cities.
Aydar Smagulov, who previously headed the Aktobe Regional Court, has been appointed Chairman of the Astana City Court.
Arman Zhukenov, who previously held a similar position in the Akmola Regional Court, became Chairman of the Almaty City Court.
Such rotation of leaders between regions is applied in the judicial system on a regular basis.
CONTEXT OF DISCIPLINARY PRACTICE
According to data from the High Judicial Council (HJC), in 2024, 40 judges were brought to disciplinary responsibility, of which 6 received recommendations for dismissal from office.
In 2025, issues of disciplinary practice were also examined as part of the work of the HJC and the Supreme Court, as reported when summing up the results of the judicial system's activities for the year.