[REGNUM]
Astana, September 16, 2025, 17:07 — IA Regnum. Bride kidnappers in Kazakhstan can get up to 10 years in prison. The relevant changes in the legislation came into force on September 16, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic reported.A new article 125-1 "Forcing into marriage" has appeared in the Kazakh Criminal Code. Bride kidnapping is recognized as a criminal offense.
Violation of this article is punishable by a fine, correctional or community service, restriction or imprisonment.
Penalties depend on the circumstances of the crime - from a fine of up to 2,000 monthly calculation indices and imprisonment for up to two years to imprisonment for five to 10 years. More severe punishment is provided for the case if the actions of the offender negligently entailed serious consequences.
“A more severe punishment is imposed in cases where coercion is accompanied by violence, is committed against minors, using addiction, by a group of people, or using official position,” the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported.
The agency explained that the innovations are aimed at preventing forced marriages and protecting vulnerable categories of citizens, primarily women and teenagers.
In addition, the law "On Amendments and Supplements to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Optimization of Criminal Legislation" came into force in Kazakhstan. If previously a person who voluntarily released a kidnapped person could expect to be released from criminal liability, now this possibility is excluded. Even if the kidnapped person is voluntarily released, the perpetrator will still be held liable in accordance with the law.
In early September, in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, two women born in 1996 kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and tortured her. The teenager was forced to kiss the kidnappers' hands and feet, and all of this was filmed on video. The suspects were detained and placed in a pretrial detention center.