25 April 2011 | 18:19

Kazakhstan to humanize its penal code

Photo courtesy of nnm.ru

Kazkahstan is considering mitigating penalties for economic crimes, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Prime Minister Karim Massimov’s website. The Government has come up with legislation suggestions on how to further humanize the penal code and to protect interests of small and middle-size business. Deprivation of freedom as a penalty for those committing economic crimes is abolished in case criminals voluntarily compensate for the damage inflicted. Thresholds for criminal liability to arise have been raised: criminal cases will be initiated in case the damage inflicted exceeds $ 103 500, rather than the current $ 10 350. However, administrative fines will be increased for minor offences in order to more effectively counteract economic crimes. But at the same time, fines will no longer be fixed, but rather defined as a percentage of the damage infliclted or of the illegal income. For certain types of economic crimes, greater fines will be introduced as an alternative to deprivation of freedom. According to the Prime Minister, the reform seeks to enhance the business climate through humanization of the penal code and to protect interests of small and medium-sized businesses. Earlier, further humanization of the nation’s penal code was advicsed by President Nazarbayev.

Kazkahstan is considering mitigating penalties for economic crimes, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Prime Minister Karim Massimov’s website. The Government has come up with legislation suggestions on how to further humanize the penal code and to protect interests of small and middle-size business. Deprivation of freedom as a penalty for those committing economic crimes is abolished in case criminals voluntarily compensate for the damage inflicted. Thresholds for criminal liability to arise have been raised: criminal cases will be initiated in case the damage inflicted exceeds $ 103 500, rather than the current $ 10 350. However, administrative fines will be increased for minor offences in order to more effectively counteract economic crimes. But at the same time, fines will no longer be fixed, but rather defined as a percentage of the damage infliclted or of the illegal income. For certain types of economic crimes, greater fines will be introduced as an alternative to deprivation of freedom. According to the Prime Minister, the reform seeks to enhance the business climate through humanization of the penal code and to protect interests of small and medium-sized businesses. Earlier, further humanization of the nation’s penal code was advicsed by President Nazarbayev.

Nursultan Nazarbayev crime embezzlement humanization Karim Masimov Karim Massimov Kazakh Kazakhstan Law legislation Masimov Massimov Nazarbayev business