Criminal liability being introduced for preparing and financing mass riots

On December 11, the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis approved the draft law amending Article 244 of the Criminal Code (Mass Riots) in its first reading.

Deputy Prosecutor General Svetlana Artikova explained the proposed amendments in detail.

“We are all well aware, as you and I are, of the world around us. Our hearts are heavy with concern, and we strive to offer help. These are turbulent times. We must be capable of defending individuals, society, and our statehood. This naturally leads to an important question: does undergoing training for the purpose of committing mass riots, and preparing weapons, explosives, or specialized devices for those around us, constitute a criminal liability?

Does this action constitute a crime or not? In our view, it does. It involves a crime’s object — individuals, society, and the state — and its subject — a person who intends to commit such acts.

The second question is whether financing activities aimed at organizing mass riots is a crime. Without a doubt, it is. These actions also constitute a crime, and we firmly believe that criminal liability must be established. Therefore, we propose adding Parts 3 and 4 to this article of the Criminal Code to safeguard the peaceful and stable life of our country.

This is not about punishment, but about prevention, ensuring that the principle of the inevitability of punishment is upheld. Anyone participating in such ‘training,’ whether online or offline… Mass riots disrupt our lives. Some people knowingly, others unknowingly, ‘participate,’” Svetlana Artikova explained.

It was clarified that the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code would not require additional state budget expenditures. The draft law has been coordinated with the Supreme Court, the State Security Service, and the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Internal Affairs, and Justice.

However, the specific penalties for these offenses have not yet been disclosed by the prosecutor’s office representative.

Currently, Article 244 of the Criminal Code outlines several offenses related to mass riots, including incitement to riots, armed intimidation, and active participation by resisting authorities. Penalties under this article range from fines equivalent to 300 times the base calculation amount to up to 15 years of imprisonment.

Deputies did not ask any questions regarding the draft law, which was unanimously passed in its first reading without opposition.