Since June 2024, Kazakhstan has elevated public online insults to the status of criminal offenses, moving beyond mere social disapproval to formal legal repercussions. Authorities now evaluate aggressive digital communication under the Criminal Code, with potential penalties ranging from minor infractions to significant felony charges. Data from the Prosecutor General's Office indicates that citizens frequently initiate legal action regarding online harassment, with annual filings for Article 131 of the Criminal Code—which covers insults—consistently numbering between 5,800 and 6,900 cases. Despite the high volume of complaints submitted to the courts, the actual number of cases resulting in formal convictions remains relatively low. This shift reflects a broader governmental effort to regulate digital conduct and hold individuals accountable for their written expressions on social media platforms and messaging applications.
Source : Tengrinews
Photo : Tengrinews
