Members of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament) have proposed amendments to the country’s Criminal Code introducing sanctions for bride kidnapping. The amendments are expected to be adopted soon, Fergana news agency reports, citing MP Murat Abenov.
According to Abenov, the proposal is currently under review by a working group focused on optimizing the Criminal, Penal, and Criminal Procedure Codes.
The new article provides for different penalties depending on the circumstances, including fines, community service, and imprisonment.
“If it is committed by a group of people, involves a minor, or causes any harm, the punishment will be from three to five years in prison. If a woman is held at home against her will and subjected to psychological and physical pressure, the law must be on the side of the victim,” Abenov emphasized.
Abenov proposes setting a punishment of 3 to 5 years in prison for the violent abduction of a woman.
He added that bride kidnapping is sometimes disguised as a “tradition,” but in reality, this is not the case.
“In fact, we never had such traditions. If a girl wanted to marry against her parents' wishes, she would run away. If the parents lacked financial means, she could elope voluntarily. Kazakhs never had a tradition of kidnapping a girl from a particular clan—this was considered an insult, even punishable by death. Against a girl’s will, it has always been a serious crime,” said Mazhilis member.
Kazakhstan’s criminal legislation currently does not have a separate article on bride kidnapping.
Such cases are usually prosecuted under the article on kidnapping, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. However, there is a clause stating that a perpetrator who voluntarily releases the victim is not subject to prosecution, provided no other crime was committed.
